"There seems to be a great deal of unused room in the house; I should think you might let that, and a part of the farm, to another family."
Caroline smiled pityingly.
"Lavinia dear, you don't understand. We could never think of taking another family into our house, for the sake of money! though it might be well to let the farm. Besides, there is really one more in the family than you see. I think I haven't yet spoken to you of Radcliff,—my husband's nephew."
"You mentioned such a person in your letter to me," replied Vinnie.
"Ah, yes; when I was giving some of the reasons why we had never had you come and live with us. Well off as we were at one time,—and are now in prospect, if not in actual appearance,—we could not very well take you as a child into our family, if we took Radcliff. He was early left an orphan, and it was thought best by the connections that he should be brought up by my husband. I assure you, Lavinia, that nobody but a Betterson should ever have been allowed to take your place in our family."
Vinnie pictured to herself a youth of precious qualities and great promise, and asked,—
"Where is Radcliff now?"
"He is not with us just at present. He is of age, and his own master; and though we make a home for him, he's away a good deal."
"What is his business?"
"He has no fixed pursuit. He is, in short, a gentleman at large."