Mrs.Moss had eight children, but could never overcome her regret that the twins had not lived.

Mr.Moss thought their removal was not without its consolations.

"Won't you come in, brother ?" she said, looking anxiously at her husband, who was walking slowly up, while Mr.Tulliver had his foot already in the stirrup.
"No, no; good-by," said he, turning his horse's head, and riding away.
No man could feel more resolute till he got outside the yard gate, and a little way along the deep-rutted lane; but before he reached the next turning, which would take him out of sight of the dilapidated farm-buildings, he appeared to be smitten by some sudden thought.

He checked his horse, and made it stand still in the same spot for two or three minutes, during which he turned his head from side to side in a melancholy way, as if he were looking at some painful object on more sides than one.

Evidently, after his fit of promptitude, Mr.Tulliver was relapsing into the sense that this is a puzzling world.