Nay, harder, for he was upheld by a strength which she had not. She had resolved to break Adam of his new-fangled notions, and whilst conscience reproached her for harassing one who was so patient, and her naturally warm heart pleaded for the husband who was, after all, dearer than the whole world beside, Margaret did not like to give in when she had determined on any course.
Sometimes she chose to taunt Adam about his friend the manager.
"A deal of good his coming has done us," she said. "Not one shilling a week has your fine Mr. Drummond put on to your wages since he came. And he never will. Don't tell me that he can't. I know better. Where there's a will there's a way. And you that have worked all your life at Rutherford's. You haven't had a rise for years. It's a shame. That's what it is."
"I've had the best rise I ever had," replied Adam. "It's through Mr. Drummond I got the good news that Jesus loved me and gave Himself for me. That has made me a rich man—me that was o' no account;" And the man's face was lighted with a holy joy as he spoke of his blessed heritage.
"I don't make much account of riches that you can neither see nor spend, Adam. I tell you my riches are a deal the best, for they bring twelve pound ten every six months, and help to clothe and feed the children and make home comfortable. If you could only put your new fortune into the shape of half a crown a week more wage, I should like it a deal better. And so would you, I'll be bound."
"No, dear lass, no," returned Adam fervently. "I would not change the unsearchable riches of Christ for all the money in the world. I should ha' said same as you once, but 'whereas I was blind, now I see.' I was a poor lost sinner, now saved through faith in the 'grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.' I'm hoping and praying every day that you'll say the same before long. Good-bye, dear lass."
Adam looked at Margaret with a tender, yearning gaze, but she did not return it or answer his good-bye, and he went off to his work, whilst Margaret continued her grumble to a neighbour, who came in at the moment.
"I was just talking to our Adam about his wages," she said. "As a regular thing, he only gets a pound a week. When he has piece work, it mends things a good bit, only the poor fellow has to slave like anybody on the treadmill when Rutherford's is busy. But he never grumbles, not he. You might think half Millborough belonged to him, to hear him talk."
"You're better off, by a deal, than most of us, Mrs. Livesey. Your husband is just as steady as old Time, and never gives you an ill word. Beside, you've your own little fortin, as one may call it, for a fortin it is, added to regular wages," and the speaker gave a sigh. She had a husband who earned more than Adam's wages and Margaret's fortune put together, but owing to his drinking habits, she was far worse off with only two children, while the Liveseys had six living.
Margaret liked any allusion to her "fortune." It gratified that feeling of pride which had been growing ever since her mother's death. She answered, with a satisfied smile, that it was a good job there had been a bit o' money laid by on her side. She often wondered how she had kept a house over their heads, when there was nothing but what Adam worked for. He was always a real good husband.