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Page 51
"It is strange," said Claire, as he sat alone with his wife one
evening, some three months subsequent to the twelfth birthday of
Fanny, "that we have heard nothing yet from Mr. Jasper."
Edith looked up quickly, and with a glance of inquiry, into his face;
but made no answer.
"I've turned it over in my mind a great deal," resumed Claire,
thoughtfully; "but with little or no satisfactory result. Once I
thought I would call on him"--
"Oh, no, no! not for the world!" instantly exclaimed Edith.
"I see, with you, dear, that such a step would be imprudent. And, yet,
this suspense--how painful it is!"
"Painful, it is true, Edward; yet, how in every way to be preferred to
the certainty we so much dread."
"O yes--yes. I agree with you there." Then, after a pause, he said,
"It is now three months since the time expired for which we agreed to
keep Fanny."
"I know," was the sighing response.
They both remained silent, each waiting for the other to speak. The
same thought was in the mind of each. Excited by the close pressure of
want upon their income, Edward was first to give it voice.
"Mr. Jasper," said he, touching the subject at first remotely, "may
have forgotten, in the pressure of business on his attention, the fact
that Fanny is now twelve years old."
"So I have thought," replied Edith.
"If I send, as usual, for the sum heretofore regularly paid for her
maintenance, it may bring this fact to his mind."
"I have feared as much," was the low, half-tremulous response.
"And yet, if I do not send, the very omission may excite a question,
and produce the consequences we fear."
"True, Edward. All that has passed through my mind over and over
again."
"What had we better do?"
"Ah!" sighed Edith, "if we only knew that."
"Shall I send the order, as usual?"
Edith shook her head, saying--
"I'm afraid."
"And I hesitate with the same fear."
"And yet, Edith," said Claire, who, as the provider for the family,
pondered more anxiously the question of ways and means, "what are we
to do? Our income, with Fanny's board added, is but just sufficient.
Take away three hundred dollars a year, and where will we stand? The
thought presses like a leaden weight on my feelings. Debt, or severe
privation, is inevitable. If, with eight hundred dollars, we only
come out even at the end of each year, what will be the result if our
income is suddenly reduced to five hundred?"
"Let us do what is right, Edward," said his wife, laying her hand upon
his arm, and looking into his face in her earnest, peculiar way. Her
voice, though it slightly trembled, had in it a tone of confidence,
which, with the words she had spoken, gave to the wavering heart of
Claire an instant feeling of strength.
"But what is right, Edith?" he asked.
"We know not now," was her reply, "but, if we earnestly desire to do
right, true perceptions will be given."
"A beautiful faith; but oh, how hard to realize!"
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