"But, aunt Lucy, he doesn't know what he is doing."
"No; and I can't make him know. I cannot say anything more, Fleda it would do no good. I don't know what is the matter he is entirely changed from what he used to be."
"I know what is the matter," said Fleda, now turning comforter in her turn, as her aunt's tears fell more quietly, because more despairingly, than her own "I know what it is he is not happy; that is all. He has not succeeded well in these farm doings, and he wants money, and he is worried it is no wonder if he don't seem exactly as he used to."
"And oh, that troubles me most of all!" said Mrs. Rossitur. "The farm is bringing in nothing, I know he don't know how to get along with it I was afraid it would be so; and we are paying nothing to uncle Orrin and it is just a dead weight on his hands; and I can't bear to think of it! And what will it come to?"
Mrs. Rossitur was now in her turn surprised into showing the strength of her sorrows and apprehensions. Fleda was fain to put her own out of sight, and bend her utmost powers to soothe and compose her aunt, till they could both go down to the breakfast-table. She had got ready a nice little dish that her uncle was very fond of; but her pleasure in it was all gone; and indeed it seemed to be thrown away upon the whole table. Half the meal was over before anybody said a word.
"I am going to wash my hands of these miserable farm affairs," said Mr. Rossitur.
"Are you?" said his wife.
"Yes of all personal concern in them; that is, I am wearied to death with the perpetual annoyances and vexations, and petty calls upon my time life is not worth having at such a rate! I'll have done with it."
"You will give up the entire charge to Lucas?" said Mrs.
Rossitur.
"Lucas! No! I wouldn't undergo that man's tongue for another year if he would take out his wages in talking. I could not have more of it in that case than I have had the last six months. After money, the thing that man loves best is certainly the sound of his own voice; and a most insufferable egotist! No I have been talking with a man who wants to take the whole farm for two years upon shares that will clear me of all trouble."