defence. Since anything he might say would only be likely to make
matters worse.

Aunt Rachel sank into a fit of deep despondency, and did not say
another word till dinner time. She sat down to the table with a
profound sigh, as if there was little in life worth living for.
Notwithstanding this, it was observed that she had a good appetite.
Indeed, Rachel seemed to thrive on her gloomy views of life and
human nature. She was, it must be acknowledged, perfectly consistent
in all her conduct, as far as this peculiarity was concerned.
Whenever she took up a newspaper, she always looked first to the
space appropriated to deaths, and next in order to the column of
accidents, casualties, etc., and her spirits were visibly
exhilarated when she encountered a familiar name in either list.

Mr. Crump continued to look out for work, but it was with a more
cheerful spirit. He did not now feel as if the comfort of his family
depended absolutely upon his immediate success. Used economically,
the money he had by him would last nine months, and during that time
it was impossible that he should not find something to do. It was
this sense of security--of possessing something upon which he could
fall back--that enabled him to keep up good heart. It is too
generally the case that people are content to live as if they were
sure of constantly retaining their health and never losing their
employment. When a reverse does come they are at once plunged into
discouragement, and feel that something must be done immediately.
There is only one way to fend off such an embarrassment, and that is
to resolve, whatever may be the amount of the income, to lay aside
some part to serve as a reliance in time of trouble. A little
economy--though it involves privation--will be well repaid by the