Forty-five years had now rolled over her head, leaving
clearer traces of their presence, doubtless, than if her spirit had
been more cheerful; so that Rachel, whose strongly marked features
never could have been handsome, was now undeniably homely.
Mrs. Crump, fortunately for her husband's peace, did not in the
least resemble her sister-in-law. Her disposition was cheerful, and
she had frequent occasion to remonstrate with her upon the dark view
she took of life. Had her temper been different, it is very easy to
see that she would have been continually quarrelling with Rachel;
but, happily, she was one of those women with whom it is impossible
to quarrel. With her broad mantle of charity, she was always seeking
to cover up and extenuate the defects of her sister-in-law, though
she could not help acknowledging their existence.
It had been a hard winter for the cooper. For a month he had been
unable to obtain work of any kind, and for the two months previous
he had worked scarcely more than half the time. Unfortunately for
him, his expenses for a few years back had kept such even pace with
his income, that he had no reserved fund to fall back upon in such a
time as this. That was no fault of his. Both he and his wife had
been economical enough, but there are a great many things included
in family expenses--rent, fuel, provisions, food, clothing, and a
long list of sundries, besides; and all these had cost money, of
which desirable article Uncle Tim's trade furnished not a very large
supply.
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