SOON after Rachel's departure Jack, also, was seized with a sleepy
fit, and postponing the construction of his boat to a more favorable
opportunity, took a candle and followed his aunt's example.

The cooper and his wife were now left alone.

"Now that Rachel and Jack have gone to bed, Mary," he commenced,
hesitatingly, "I don't mind saying that I am a little troubled in
mind about one thing."

"What's that?" asked Mrs. Crump, anxiously.

"It's just this, I don't anticipate being stinted for food. I know
we shall get along some way; but there's another expense which I am
afraid of."

"Is it the rent?" inquired his wife, apprehensively.

"That's it. The quarter's rent, twenty dollars, comes due to-morrow,
and I've got less than a dollar to meet it."

"Won't Mr. Colman wait?"

"I'm afraid not. You know what sort of a man he is, Mary. There
ain't much feeling about him. He cares more for money than anything
else."

"Perhaps you are doing him injustice."

"I am afraid not. Did you never hear how he treated the Underhills?"