The merchant went to his desk, and presently returned with a scaled
envelope.

"Give that to your wife," he said.

The interview terminated, and the cooper went home, quite elated by
his success. His present engagement would enable him to bridge over
the dull time, and save him from incurring debt, of which he had a
just horror.

"Just in time," said Mrs. Crump. "We've got an apple-pudding
to-day."

"You haven't forgotten what I like, Mary."

"There's no knowing how long you will be able to afford puddings,"
said Aunt Rachel. "To my mind it's extravagant to have meat and
pudding both, when a month hence you may be in the poor-house."

"Then," said Jack, "I wouldn't eat any."

"Oh, if you grudge me the little I eat," said his aunt, in severe
sorrow, "I will go without."

"Tut, Rachel, nobody grudges you anything here," said her brother,
"and as to the poor-house, I've got some good news to tell you that
will put that thought out of your heads."

"What is it?" asked Mrs. Crump, looking up brightly.