Book IV
Speculations
Chapter 17

One morning a few weeks after Mrs. Belflower had gone, I went to the drawing-room after breakfast for my usual lesson and found that my mother had on her reading-glass which she always wore for "business". She looked up with a smile and said: "I've had such a kind letter from Mr.Sancious. He must have thought a great deal about my affairs for he advises me very strongly not to grant Bissett's request. For you see, she asked me for higher wages now that some of Mrs. Belflower's work falls to her as well."

So that was what she wanted to say to my mother that time while Sukey was telling me of her father's death!

"Mr. Sancious says he is very concerned that our income is too low to meet our present expenses, and certainly no new ones. You see, the government has reduced the amount of interest it pays on the consolidated funds I have. In other words, we are really quite poor now, Johnie."

"Is there any way we can stop being poor?"
"Yes, Johnie, for he advises me to change my present investments to a better one."
That sounds like a wonderful idea!" I exclaimed. "I wonder Uncle Martin didn't think of it."
"Well, he was rather old-fashioned, my dear."
"Then what does Mr Sancious say you should do?"
"It's very complicated and I don't understand it entirely, so I don't think you will. But I'll read it out and see if it makes it easier." ...