There was nothing more said for a time--they all felt this add a pang to their misfortune; but while Martha’s eyes were still fixed on the ground, and Rose and Agnes forbore to look at him, in delicate care for his humiliation, Harry had already lifted his head, and growing familiar with his position, forgot that there was in it any humiliation at all. “I forgot to tell you,” he said, “what will be very hard upon us--very hard indeed--these monied men have hearts like the nether millstone. Agnes, I don’t know what you will do with your accounts. I have lost my quarter’s salary as well as my situation.” The poor little wife looked at him aghast. She had been scheming already how she could get these accounts paid, and begin to “the opening” herself, to keep them afloat until Harry should hear of some other situation;--but this crowning calamity struck her dumb. “They will hold me responsible for the whole fifty pounds,” said Harry, in a low voice. “I don’t think Mr. Buchanan himself would have kept back this that is owing me--this that I have worked for. I should not care so much for the whole debt,” said poor Harry with glistening eyes, “because it would be a spur to me to labour more strenuously, and I don’t doubt we might pay it off in a year or two--but to throw me on the world, and keep back this poor fifteen pounds--it is very cruel--to leave us without anything to depend on, until I can get another situation--it is very hard--but they do not know what it is to want five pounds, those prosperous men. Mr. Buchanan himself would never have done it--and to think that Dick should turn upon me!” “It is well,” said Martha harshly, “I am pleased that he has kept this money--how we are to do I cannot tell--but I would not have had you take it, Harry. What you have lost was theirs, and we must make it up. Some way or other we will struggle through, and it is far better that you did not become further indebted to them by receiving this.” Harsh as her tone was, it was not blame--poor Harry’s sanguine spirit rose. He could take some comfort from the bitter pride that would rather descend to the very depths of poverty than have such a debt as this. The galling burden seemed for the moment to withdraw Martha’s thoughts from the more-enduring misery, the weakness that plunged him into so many misfortunes. But Agnes, sadly considering how to satisfy the poor widow, Mrs. Rodger, who could not do without her money, and how to apologise to butcher, baker, and grocer,--could take no comfort;--darkly the cloud of grave care settled down upon the soft young features. “But what will I do with Mrs. Rodger,” said Agnes, “and Waters, and Mr. Fleming--oh Martha!” “I will speak to them myself,” said Martha, compressing her lips painfully. “You shall not be subjected to this, Agnes--I will speak to them myself.” “And Mrs. McGarvie,” said Agnes, “I might have done the things myself if I had only known--and Mrs. Rodger.”