"A pretty time to come disturbing him to do it!" grumbled she. Nevertheless, she set the baby on the floor, who tottled out, and was seized by Glory, standing there in the dark entry, and pressed close in her poor, long-wearied, faithful arms.
"Oh, baby, baby! I'm in it now! And I don't know rightly whether it's a good time or not!"
CHAPTER VII.
CARES; AND WHAT CAME OF THEM.
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"To speed to-day, to be put back to-morrow; To feed on hope, to pine with feare and sorrow; · · · · · · To fret thy soul with crosses and with cares; To eate thy heart through comfortlesse dispaires." Spencer. |
Two years and more had passed since the New Year's dance at the Rushleighs'.
The crisis of '57 and '58 was approaching its culmination. The great earthquake that for months had been making itself heard afar off by its portentous rumbling was heaving to the final crash. Already the weaker houses had fallen and were forgotten.
When a great financial trouble sweeps down upon a people, there are three general classes who receive and feel it, each in its own peculiar way.