"I fear it will: but it must be done. What's the matter, Jane? You don't look hopeful over it." "Because, were you to insure your life, to pay the yearly premium, and our home expenses, would necessitate your working as hard as you do now." "Well?" said he. "Of course it would." "In any case, our expenses shall be much reduced; of that I am determined," she went on somewhat dreamily, more it seemed in soliloquy than to her husband. "But, with this premium to pay in addition----" "Jane," he interrupted, "there's not the least necessity for my relaxing my labours. I shall not think of doing it. I may not be very strong, but I am not ill. As to reducing our expenses, I see no help for that, inasmuch as I must draw from them for the premium." "If you only can keep your health, Edgar, it is certainly what ought to be done--to insure your life. The thought has often crossed me." "Why did you never suggest it?" "I scarcely know. I believe I did not like to do so. And I really did not see how the premium was to be paid. How much shall you insure it for?" "I thought of two thousand pounds. Could we afford more?" "I think not. What would be the yearly premium for that sum?" "I don't know. I will ascertain all particulars. What are you sighing about, Jane?" Jane was sighing heavily. A weight seemed to have fallen upon her. "To talk of life-insurance puts me too much in mind of death," she murmured. "Now, Jane, you are never going to turn goose!" he gaily said. "I have heard of persons who will not make a will, because it brings them a fancy they must be going to die. Insuring my life will not bring death any the quicker to me: I hope I shall be here many a year yet. Why, Jane, I may live to pay the insurance over and over again in annual premiums! Better that I had put by the money in a bank, I shall think then." "The worst of putting by money in a bank, or in any other way, is, that you are not _compelled_ to put it," observed Jane, looking up a little from her depression. "What ought to be put by--what is intended to be put by--too often goes in present wants, and putting by ends in name only: whereas, in life-assurance, the premium _must_ be paid. Edgar," she added, passing to a different subject, "I wonder what we shall make of our boys?" Mr. Halliburton's cheek flushed. "_They_ shall go to college, please God--though I have not been able to get there myself." "Oh, I hope so! One or two of them, at any rate." Little difficulty did there appear to be in the plan to Mr. Halliburton.