"You have tired yourself with walking, Rachel. You have been out twice to-day."
"This is a vale of tears," said Rachel, hysterically. "There's nothin' but sorrow and misfortune to be expected."
"Have you met with any misfortune? I thought fortune was smiling upon us all."
"It'll never smile on me again," said Rachel, despondently.
Just then Jack, who had followed his aunt home, entered.
"Have you got home so quick, Aunt Rachel?" he asked. "How did you enjoy your walk?"
"I shall never enjoy anything again," said his aunt, gloomily.
"Why not?"
"Because there's nothing to enjoy."
"I don't feel so, aunt. I feel as merry as a cricket."