Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/169

 comfortable. I shall soon get a situation; I must soon get one. It is impossible that skill shall go forever unrecognized. In any case the little Josephine must come home to us. Eh, Kitty, girl?"

She answered him valiantly, seeing through his unusual boastfulness, who was commonly so modest of his own attainments, and smiling back upon him with the same undaunted courage he brought to their changed life. It was taking bread from her own children's mouths to do what now she did, yet her step never faltered as she walked across to the little cupboard and took from some hidden nook, known only to herself, their last quarter dollar. This she gave to her husband, saying cheerily:

"If you go at once, Joe, you may be home again in time for dinner. I'd like to be prompt with it for I've secured a dress to make for a woman in the neighborhood and can begin it to-night. Besides, I'm all impatience to see this little Josephine. Think of it, dear, the child who was named for you.