After supper was over, Roland Reed said:
"I told you that I wished to speak to you on business, Mrs. Larkin.
It is briefly this: Are you willing to receive a boarder?"
"I am afraid, sir, that you would hardly be satisfied with our
humble accommodations."
"Oh, I am not speaking of myself, but of a child. I am a
widower, Mrs. Larkin, and have a little daughter eight years
of age. She is now boarding in New York, but I do not like the
people with whom I have placed her. She is rather delicate, also,
and I think a country town would suit her better than the city air.
I should like to have her under just such nice motherly care as
I am sure you would give her."
"I shall be very glad to receive her," said Mrs. Larkin, with
a flush of pleasure.
"And for the terms?"
"I would rather you would name them, sir."
"Then I will say ten dollars a week."
"Ten dollars!" exclaimed the widow, in amazement. "It won't
be worth half that."
"I don't pay for board merely, but for care and attendance
as well. She may be sick, and that would increase your trouble."
"She would in that case receive as much care as if she were my
own daughter; but I don't ask such an exorbitant rate of board.
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