"Of course all the teaching and most of the care would fall on you," continued Mr. Van Alstine. "What do you say? Do you feel able to undertake it?"
"I think so," answered Marion. "I am pretty well nowadays."
"And you would like it?"
"Yes, indeed, I should. But, father, wouldn't such young children be a trouble to you and mother?"
"When did you ever know either of us troubled with children, my girl?"
"I could take Cousin Helen's old room for the nursery, you know, and the little back parlour would be the school-room again, as it used to be. How natural it would seem!"
"I see you have it all arranged. We'll talk it over again with your mother, and we will see what can be done."
In the course of a few months the two little Browns were comfortably settled in the valley and favourites with everybody.
Then came another petition. Would Miss McGregor receive another pupil, the daughter of an American missionary in Persia, who had also lost her mother? So Marion's little school grew till she had five pupils; more she would not take. Betsy enters into the scheme with enthusiasm, and is professor of music in the little seminary.
Marion's little school is now a flourishing institution, and bids fair to be established on a permanent basis.