The opportune arrival of the child inaugurated a season of comparative prosperity in the home of Timothy Harding. To persons accustomed to live in their frugal way, five hundred dollars seemed a fortune. Nor, as might have happened in some cases, did this unexpected windfall tempt the cooper or his wife to enter upon a more extravagant mode of living.
"Let us save something against a rainy day," said Mrs. Harding.
"We can if I get work soon," answered her husband. "This little one will add but little to our expenses, and there is no reason why we shouldn't save up at least half of it."
"So I think, Timothy. The child's food will not amount to a dollar a week."
"There's no tellin' when you will get work, Timothy," said Rachel, in her usual cheerful way. "It isn't well to crow before you are out of the woods."
"Very true, Rachel. It isn't your failing to look too much at the sunny side of the picture."
"I'm ready to look at it when I can see it anywhere," answered his sister, in the same enlivening way.
"Don't you see it in the unexpected good fortune which came with this child?" asked Timothy.
"I've no doubt you think it very fortunate now," said Rachel, gloomily; "but a young child's a great deal of trouble."
"Do you speak from experience, Aunt Rachel?" asked Jack.