“It is a way opened, Mrs. Prentice!” she murmured. “Better than we could ever expect. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart!”
CHAPTER XIV—IN SUSPENSE
But when Jess got home—and Mrs. Prentice took her there in the car, but would not come in herself—she had hard work to satisfy her mother that such a change as this opportunity suggested was a good one for them to make. In short, Mrs. Morse did not enthuse.
“Just think of the trouble of it all,” she sighed. “My dear Jess, we have been here so long——”
“But Mr. Chumley doesn’t want us any longer,” interposed Jess.
“Tut, tut! that is only the old gentleman’s way. He really will not raise our rent, do you think?”
“Why, Mother!” expostulated the girl, “he has already raised it and threatened to put us out if we don’t find the increased three dollars on the first.”
“I am afraid you were not politic enough,” said her mother.
“One cannot be politic with Mr. Chumley. He wants his house for another tenant; he has as good as said so. And do come and see Mrs. Prentice’s little cottage. It is a love.”
Even after she had seen it, however, Mrs. Morse was doubtful. She shrank from the change.