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the common answer Richard received at the Hotels and board-
ing houses, where he was accustom'd to work, "All the money
I can scrape together," said one, must go to furnish my house,
decently, or else not a member shall I get." "Every penny, I have
must go for wood," said another, "for the members have grown as
cunning as foxes, and they insist on seeing the cellars and yards
as well as the rooms, and if there is not plenty of wood laid
in, not a member shall I get." "You know, Richard, for you
have lived in boarding-houses, they will have rousing fires in
their rooms, day and night, as one may say." ["All thought
Richard, as he turn'd homewards, without a cent to buy a piece
of bread--to be sure their honor's must have fires to sleep by,
as well as sit by--it can't be expected they will think of us
poor creatures, who are almost perishing--and as for there
poor widows who board them, it is not much profit for them,
seeing they must lay out most of what they get the few months
they are here--For no matter what it costs, they must have the
fat of the land--the best the market affords--Many a time my
heart has ach'd to see them poor delicate women, standing in
the wet and cold and shivering so in Market they could hardly count
out their money.--Poor things they earn it hard enough, and I
can't repine when they don't pay me--But when people
I know to be rich, turn me off after a hard day's work,
without a single cent--it does go hard with me."
But it was not always Richard return'd home, so
down-hearted, for one evening, after several days real suffer-
ing for the necessaries of life, he enter'd his little cabin with
a smiling face. But Becky who was busy and out of humour
too, did not turn to receive him as kindly as usual, nor see him.
But muttering, as she went on with her work ["Well daddy, I hope
as how you haven't brought back an empty stomach to night,
seeing I have not where with all to fill it--the last crumb"
continued she sighing"is gone.--The barrel and the cruse have fail'd
with all your faith daddy--so I don't see for my part, as
your faith does you much service--I am sartin,