The tax will be something enormous.
I don't know as I can spare you, even if you are willing to be a
laughing-stock for the town."
With every bite Elnora's courage returned, for she was a healthy young
thing.
"You've heard about doing evil that good might come from it," she said.
"Well, mother mine, it's something like that with me. I'm willing to
bear the hard part to pay for what I'll learn. Already I have selected
the ward building in which I shall teach in about four years. I am going
to ask for a room with a south exposure so that the flowers and moths I
take in from the swamp to show the children will do well."
"You little idiot!" said Mrs. Comstock. "How are you going to pay your
expenses?"
"Now that is just what I was going to ask you!" said Elnora. "You see,
I have had two startling pieces of news to-day. I did not know I would
need any money. I thought the city furnished the books, and there is an
out-of-town tuition, also. I need ten dollars in the morning. Will you
please let me have it?"
"Ten dollars!" cried Mrs. Comstock. "Ten dollars! Why don't you say a
hundred and be done with it! I could get one as easy as the other. I
told you! I told you I couldn't raise a cent. Every year expenses grow
bigger and bigger. I told you not to ask for money!"
"I never meant to," replied Elnora. "I thought clothes were all I needed
and I could bear them. I never knew about buying books and tuition.
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