174 THERE IS NO HURRY.

which caused the lady to visit all the families in
town of her acquaintance, for the purpose of
expressing her sympathy with “ those poor dear
Adamses, who were so proud, poor things, that
really there was nothing but starvation and the
workhouse before them!” Another of those
well-meaning persons—strong-minded and kind-
hearted, but without a particle of delicacy—came
to poor Mary, with all the prestige of conferring
a favour. }

‘‘ My dear young lady, it is the commonest
thing in the world—very painful but very com-
mon; the families of professional men are fre-
quently left without provision. Such a pity !—
because, if they cannot save, they can insure.
We all can do that, but they do not do it, and
consequently everywhere the families of profes-
sional men are found in distress; so, as I said,
it is common; and I wanted you to suggest to
your mother, that, if she would not feel hurt at
it, the thing being so common—dear Dr. Adams
having been so popular, so very popular—that
while every one is talking about him and you
all, a very handsome subscription could be got
up. I would begin it with a sum large enough
to invite still larger. I had a great regard for
~ him—I had indeed.”

Mary felt her heart sink and rise, and her
throat swell, so that she could not speak. She
had brought herself to the determination of em-
ploying hertalents for her own support, but she