He had often told her that she was without pride, because she had stooped to receive from others, on his behalf and on behalf of her children, things which were very needful, but which she could not buy.

He had told her that she was a beggar, and that it was better to starve than to beg.

She had borne the rebuke without a word in reply, and had then begged again for him, and had endured the starvation herself.

Nothing in their poverty had, for years past, been a shame to her; but every accident of their poverty was still, and ever had been, a living disgrace to him.
[Illustration: Mr.and Mrs.Crawley.] They had had many children, and three were still alive.

Of the eldest, Grace Crawley, we shall hear much in the coming story.