because there was no money left after food and fuel were bought.
More and more earnestly did Ellen apply herself as want came in more
varied shapes; but the returns of her labour became daily less and
less adequate to meet the demands of nature.

The busy season had passed, and trade was dull. Ellen worked for
only two merchant tailors, and with them she was considered an extra
hand. When business fell off, as the season approached towards
mid-summer, she was the first to receive notice that no more work
could be given out for the present. With a disheartened feeling she
returned home on receiving this intelligence. Mary saw that
something was wrong the moment she entered, and tenderly inquired
the cause of her trouble. On learning what it was, she endeavoured
to comfort and assure her, but to little purpose.

As soon as Ellen could regain sufficient composure of mind, she went
forth in search of work at other shops. To one of her peculiar,
timid, and shrinking disposition this was a severe trial. But there
was no passing it by. Three days elapsed, during which every effort
to get work proved unsuccessful. Even the clothing stores had
nothing to give out to extra hands.

Reduced to their last penny, Ellen was almost in despair, when she
called upon Mr. Lawson. The garment he gave her to make seemed to
her like help sent from heaven. Cheerfully did she work upon it
until a late hour at night, and she was ready to resume her labour
with the rising sun. But, as Mary had feared, the work did not
progress altogether to her satisfaction. She had never made over one
or two white Marseilles vests, and found that she was not so well
skilled in the art of neat and accurate stitching as was required to