When next he saw David, he spoke to the boy harshly, and demanded to know where he went loafing every afternoon.

Then, as the days went on, he discovered that Hannah meant to visit his insubordination upon him in various unpleasant ways.

There were certain little creature comforts, making but small show on the surface of a life of general abstinence and frugality, but which, in the course of years, had grown very important to Reuben, and which Hannah had never denied him.

They were now withdrawn.

In her present state of temper with her better half, Hannah could not be 'fashed' with providing them.