His wife did not reply. Poor woman! she had a hard time of it. She had always had to contend with poverty; but poverty is not the worst of evils. If her husband had been reasonably kind, she could have borne that without repining, though it subjected her to many privations which she well knew might have been avoided had not her husband been so shiftless and intemperate. But his temper was far from sweet. He was that detestable character, a domestic tyrant, and did all in his power to make his wife uncomfortable and unhappy. She had learned that her best course was to permit his taunts and harsh words to pass unheeded, for at such times reason had no weight with him.
It did not take John long to understand the position of affairs. He saw that Mrs. Huxter was disposed to be polite and kind to him, and he felt grateful. He could not help pitying her for having such a husband.
"Thank you, Mrs. Huxter," he said, when she had prepared the basin for him.
"I suppose you are accustomed to washing in your own room," she said.
"Yes," said John; "but it's of no consequence. I can wash down here just as well."
"Of course you can," said Mr. Huxter. "Come, be spry there, Oakley."
John washed himself deliberately, not thinking that it was necessary to hurry himself on Mr. Huxter's account, and sat down to the table.
"You're an enterprising young man," said Mr. Huxter. "I'm half through my breakfast, and you're just ready to begin."
"He had a long and tiresome journey yesterday," said Mrs. Huxter. "No wonder he was tired."