152 THERE IS NO HURRY.

come the nature of which is so essentially pre-
carious.”

*“ Really,”’ murmured Mrs. Adams, “ you put
one into very low spirits.”

Charles remained silent, waiting his brother’s
reply.

‘© My dear Charles,” he said at last, ‘“ there
is a great deal of truth in what you s1y—cer-
tainly a great deal; but I cannot change my
style of living, strange as it may seem. If I
did, I should lose my practice. And then I
must educate my children; that is an impera-
tive duty, is it not?”

“ Certainly it is; it is a part of the provision
I have spoken of, but not the whole—a portion
only. If you have the means to do both, it is
your duty to do both; and you have the means.
Nay, my dear sister, do not seem angry or an-
noyed with me; it is for the sake of your chil-
dren I speak ; it is to prevent their ever know-
ing practically what we do know theoretically
—that the world is a hard world; hard and un-
feeling to those who need its aid. It is to pre-
vent the possibility of their feeling @ reverse.

Mrs. Adams burst into tears, and walked out
of the room. Charles was convinced that she
would not uphold his opinion.

*‘ Certainly,” said John, “ I intend to provide
for my children; but there is no hurry, and” —

‘¢ There should be no hesitation in the case,”
interrupted Charles; ‘every man intends to