I have sometimes tried to imagine the scene surrounding that broken-down old man.

There was no furniture in the room, save what was indispensable to his bare comfort.

Miss Thankful expressly said there was no carpet,--you will presently see why.

Even the windows had no other protection than the bare shutters.

But he was in his old home, and seemed content till Miss Charity fell sick, and they had to call in a nurse to assist Miss Thankful, who by this time had a dozen lodgers to look after.