"There," he said gently, "don't break down! Let's talk about something else."

"Oh!"—she sneaked a tear away—"I'm not used ... don't think——"

"No, no," he said, "I know, I understand. Poke it for me, will you? let's have a blaze."

She took the poker up, and prolonged the task a minute while she hung her head.

Remarked Kincaid:

"It's awful to be hard up, isn't it? I've been through all the stages; it's abominable!"

"You have?"

"Oh yes; I know all about it. So I don't tell you that 'money's the least thing.' Only people who have always had enough say that."

"One wants so little in the world to relieve anxiety," she said; "it does seem cruel that so few can get enough for ease."

"What do you mean by 'ease'?"