A BRIGHT IDEA . `` No answer to my advertisement , mamma , and I must sit with idle hands for another day , '' said Clara with a despondent sigh , as the postman passed the door . `` You need n't do that , child , when I 'm suffering for a new cap , and no one can suit me so well as you , if you have the spirits to do it , '' answered her mother from the sofa , where she spent most of her time bewailing her hard lot . `` Plenty of spirits , mamma , and what is still more necessary , plenty of materials ; so I 'll toss you up ' a love of a cap ' before you know it . '' And putting her own disappointment out of sight , pretty Clara fell to work with such good-will that even poor , fretful Mrs. Barlow cheered up in spite of herself . `` What a mercy it is that when everything else is swept away in this dreadful failure I still have you , dear , and no dishonest banker can rob me of my best treasure , '' she said fondly , as she watched her daughter with tearful eyes . `` No one shall part us , mamma ; and if I can only get something to do we can be independent and happy in spite of our losses ; for now the first shock and worry is over , I find a curious sort of excitement in being poor and having to work for my living . I was so tired of pleasure and idleness I really quite long to work at something , if I could only find it . '' But though Clara spoke cheerfully , she had a heavy heart ; for during the month which had followed the discovery that they were nearly penniless , she had been through a great deal for a tenderly nurtured girl of three-and-twenty . Leaving a luxurious home for two plainly furnished rooms , and trying to sustain her mother with hopeful plans , had kept her busy for a time ; but now she had nothing to do but wait for replies to her modest advertisements as governess , copyist , or reader . `` I do wish I 'd been taught a trade , mamma , or some useful art by which I could earn our bread now . Rich people ought to remember that money takes to itself wings , and so prepare their children to face poverty bravely . If half the sums spent on my music and dress had been used in giving me a single handicraft , what a blessing it would be to us now ! '' she said , thoughtfully , as she sewed with rapid fingers , unconsciously displaying the delicate skill of one to whom dress was an art and a pleasure . `` If you were not so proud we might accept Cousin John 's offer and be quite comfortable , '' returned her mother , in a reproachful tone . `` No ; we should soon feel that we were a burden , and that would be worse than living on bread and water . Let us try to help ourselves first , and then , if we fail , we can not be accused of indolence . I know papa would wish it , so please let me try . '' `` As you like ; I shall not be a burden to any one long . '' And Mrs. Barlow looked about for her handkerchief .
But XXXXX prevented the impending shower by skilfully turning the poor lady 's thoughts to the new cap which was ready to try on .
Barlow Clara John art copyist day first handicraft heart independent