Then came the shock of Henry Mitchell 's sudden death and of financial ruin . His affairs were found to be hopelessly involved ; when all the debts were paid there was left only the merest pittance -- barely enough for house-rent -- for Lilian and her mother to live upon . They had moved into a tiny cottage in an unfashionable locality , and during the summer Lilian had tried hard to think of something to do . Mrs. Mitchell was a delicate woman , and the burden of their situation fell on Lilian 's young shoulders . There seemed to be no place for her . She could not teach and had no particular talent in any line . There was no opening for her in Willington , which was a rather sleepy little place , and Lilian was almost in despair . `` There really does n't seem to be any real place in the world for me , Mother , '' she said rather dolefully at the supper table . `` I 've no talent at all ; it is dreadful to have been born without one . And yet I must do something , and do it soon . '' And Lilian , after she had washed up the tea dishes , went upstairs and had a good cry . But the darkest hour , so the proverb goes , is just before the dawn , and after Lilian had had her cry out and was sitting at her window in the dusk , watching a thin new moon shining over the trees down the street , her inspiration came to her . A minute later she whirled into the tiny sitting-room where her mother was sewing . `` Mother , our fortune is made ! I have an idea ! '' `` Do n't lose it , then , '' said Mrs. Mitchell with a smile . `` What is it , my dear ? '' Lilian sobered herself , sat down by her mother 's side , and proceeded to recount the conversation she had heard in the store that afternoon . `` Now , Mother , this is where my brilliant idea comes in . You have often told me I am a born cook and I always have good luck .
Now , tomorrow morning I shall go to Mrs. Saunders and offer XXXXX furnish all the good things for Helen 's birthday party , and then I 'll ask Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. Porter if I may make their bread for them .
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