The following evening Emily and Martha spent at Esq. S.'s, agreeably to
an earnest invitation from Mrs. S. and her daughter Susan, who were
anxious to cultivate an acquaintance with the orphan. These ladies were
desirous to ascertain the real situation of a factory girl, and if it
was as truly deplorable as public fame had represented, they intended to
devise some plan to place Martha in a more desirable situation. Mrs. S.
had a sister, who had long been in a declining state of health; and she
had but recently written to Mrs. S. to allow Susan to spend a few months
with her, while opportunity should offer to engage a young lady to live
with her as a companion. This lady's husband was a clerk in one of the
departments at Washington; and, not thinking it prudent to remove his
family to the capital, they remained in P.; but the time passed so
heavily in her husband's absence, as to have a visible effect on her
health. Her physician advised her not to live so retired as she did, but
to go into lively company to cheer up her spirits; but she thought it
would be more judicious to have an agreeable female companion to live
with her; and Mrs. S. concluded, from the character given her by her
uncle, that Martha would be just such a companion as her sister wanted;
and she intended in the course of the evening to invite Martha to
accompany Susan on a visit to her aunt.
The evening passed rapidly away, for the lively and interesting
conversation, in the neat and splendid parlor of Esq. S., did not suffer
any one present to note the flight of time. Martha's manners well
accorded with the flattering description which her uncle had given of
her. She had a good flow of language, and found no difficulty in
expressing her sentiments on any subject which was introduced. Her
description of "Life in Lowell" convinced those who listened to the
clear, musical tones of her voice, that the many reports which they had
heard, respecting the ignorance and vice of the factory operatives, were
the breathings of ignorance, wafted on the wings of slander, and not
worthy of credence.
"But with all your privileges, Martha," said Mrs. S., "was it not
wearisome to labor so many hours in a day?"
"Truly it was at times," said Martha, "and fewer hours of labor would be
desirable, if they could command a proper amount of wages; for in that
case there would be more time for improvement."
Mrs. S. then gave Martha an invitation to accompany her daughter to P.,
hoping that she would accept the invitation, and find the company of her
sister so agreeable that she would consent to remain with her, at least
for one year; assuring her that if she did, her privileges for
improvement should be equal, if not superior to those she had enjoyed in
Lowell; and also that she should not be a loser in pecuniary matters.
Martha politely thanked Mrs. S. for the interest she took in her behalf,
but wished a little time to consider the propriety of accepting the
proposal. But when Mrs. S. explained how necessary it was that her
sister should have a female companion with her, during her husband's
absence, Martha consented to accompany Susan, provided that her uncle
and aunt K. gave their consent.
"What an interesting girl!" said Esq. S. to his lady, after the young
people had retired. "Amiable and refined as Emily K. appears, Martha's
manners show that her privileges have been greater, or that her
abilities are superior to those of Emily. How cold and calculating, and
also unjust, was her aunt K., to think that it would detract aught from
the respectability of her children for Martha to appear in company with
them! I really hope that Mr. K. will allow her to visit your sister. I
will speak to him on the subject."
"She _must_ go with Susan," said Mrs. S.; "I am determined to take no
denial. Her sprightly manners and delightful conversation will cheer my
sister's spirits, and be of more avail in restoring her health than ten
physicians."
Mr. K. gave the desired consent, and it was agreed by all parties
concerned that some time in the following week the ladies should visit
P.; and all necessary preparations were immediately made for the
journey.