"It must be something besides that, Mary. I can't listen to it. It's only a vulgar class of women who keep stores."
"I am willing to take in sewing, mother; but, then, all I could earn would go but a little way towards keeping the family. I don't suppose I could even pay the rent, and that you know, is four hundred dollars."
"Too true," Mrs. Turner said, despondingly.
"Suppose I open a school?" suggested Mary.
"O no! no! My head would never stand the noise and confusion. And, any way, I never did like a school."
"Then I don't know what we shall do, unless we take some boarders."
"A little more genteel. But even that is low enough."
"Then, suppose, mother we look for a lower rent, and try to live more economically. I will take in sewing, and we can try for awhile, and see how we get along."
"O no, indeed, child. That would never do. We must keep up appearances, or we shall lose our place in society. You know that it is absolutely necessary for you and your brothers, that we should maintain our position."
"As for me, mother," said Mary, in a serious tone, "I would not have you to take a thought in that direction. And it seems to me that our true position is the one where we can live most comfortably according to our means."