"
"Oh, you'll be able to earn something, and we can live _very_
plain," said Mrs. Crump, affecting a cheerfulness greater than she
felt.
"Pity you hadn't done it sooner," was the comforting suggestion of
Rachel.
"Mustn't cry over spilt milk," said the cooper, good-humoredly.
"Perhaps we might have lived a _leetle_ more economically, but I
don't think we've been extravagant."
"Besides, I can earn something, father," said Jack, hopefully. "You
know I did this afternoon."
"So you can," said Mrs. Crump, brightly.
"There ain't horses to hold every day," said Rachel, apparently
fearing that the family might become too cheerful, when, like
herself, it was their duty to become profoundly gloomy.
"You're always trying' to discourage people," said Jack,
discontentedly.
Rachel took instant umbrage at these words.
"I'm sure," said she; mournfully, "I don't want to make you unhappy.
If you can find anything to be cheerful about when you're on the
verge of starvation, I hope you'll enjoy yourselves, and not mind
me. I'm a poor dependent creetur, and I feel to know I'm a burden."
"Now, Rachel, that's all foolishness," said Uncle Tim. "You don't
feel anything of the kind."
"Perhaps others can tell how I feel, better than I can myself,"
answered his sister, knitting rapidly. "If it hadn't been for me, I
know you'd have been able to lay up money, and have something to
carry you through the winter.
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