For a long time the man had ceased to send her money, and indeed he was become a vagabond pauper, from whom nothing could be obtained; she depended upon her son, and on the kindness of Buncombe, who asked no rent.

If she could earn a little money by work, she would be much happier, and with tremulous hope she had taken this step of appealing to her neighbour in the house.
Harvey could not resist these representations.

When the new arrangement had been in operation for a week or so, Harvey began to reflect upon Mrs.Handover's personal narrative, and in some respects to modify his first impulsive judgment thereon.

It seemed to him not impossible that Mr.Handover's present condition of vagabond pauper might be traceable to his marriage with a woman who had never learnt the elements of domestic duty.

Thoroughly well-meaning, Mrs.Handover was the most incompetent of housewives.