Working and Waiting.
So, as they sat there in silence, Dolly was thinking with some anxiety that they were making themselves responsible for all the food needed in the little log-house for the next two months at least, and Stephen was thinking the same. Dolly could see no possible way of doing this without putting themselves in debt, and there were few things that Dolly dreaded more. Stephen saw his way clear without the debt, but it was a way almost as much to be regretted as the running up of a long bill at Smith’s would be. The little sum that he had collected with much effort, and kept with much self-denial, which was to purchase a supply of leather at the cheapest market in Montreal, must be appropriated to another purpose, for nothing but ready money would do now. Morely’s expenses must be paid to Montreal, and, indeed, in Montreal till he could get employment; and the children must in the meantime be cared for as well; and therefore Stephen’s leather must be purchased piece by piece as before; and how could he ever compete with the cheap shoe-shops that had taken away some of his customers already? His face took an anxious look, and so did Dolly’s, till she caught sight of the wrinkles on her husband’s forehead, and then she thought best to brighten up immediately.
“It ain’t best to worry about it,” said she.
“No, worry never helped nobody yet.” said Stephen; but his face did not change.
“And there’s nothing we can do about it, to-day, but wait,” continued his wife.
“Nothing but wait—and pray,” said Stephen, quietly.
“If you could go to work now, you’d feel a sight better; but the noise—” and her voice sank into a whisper.
“Yes; I promised young Clement that I should have little Teddy Lane’s boots ready for him to-night,” said Stephen. “It’s too late now, I’m afraid; you’ll have to keep all the doors shut for the noise,” he added, going; and then he turned back to say in a whisper:
“I wish I could have that Bigby in my hands for just two minutes? Eh, Dolly?”
Dolly shook her head.