herself.

"You keep your end of things going," he urged her, in a sombre
voice, "and I'll take care of mine!"

"I'll try, Bert, I'll do the best I can." With something of her
old, comradely spirit, she laid her hand on his arm. "I'll let
Hannah go--at least I will as soon as the Berrys' visit is over.
And what about our going to the Sewalls', Bert, that's going to be
an expensive trip. Shall I get out of that?"

"No," Bert decided thoughtfully. "I may want to get Sewall into
this thing. We'll have to go there--I wish to the deuce we could
get rid of Pauline and Pierre; but I don't see myself taking care
of the car, somehow!"

"Everyone envies us Pauline," Nancy observed. And seeing that he
was still scowling thoughtfully at his black-coffee cup, she
touched his hand affectionately again, and set herself seriously
to soothe him. "But we'll find ways of economizing, dear. I'll
watch the bills, and I'll scold Pauline again about the butter and
eggs and meat that she wastes. You must remember that you have a
big family, Bert. You're raising four healthy children, and you
have a car, and a man, and a beautiful home, and a delightful
group of friends, and two or three fine clubs--"

But for once Bert was not easily quieted. He put his head in his
hands and gave a sort of groan.

"Don't tell me what I've got--I know it all! Lord, I lie awake