He was a hardy, frank-looking man, and, like his wife, a trifle past middle age, I thought; but he had nothing to say, as he stood there with his wife, by the counter side.

She answered our questions freely and simply, and in an uncomplaining way, not making any attempt to awaken sympathy by enlarging upon the facts of their condition.

Theirs was a family of seven--man, wife, and five children.

The man was a spinner; and his thrifty wife had managed the little shop, whilst he worked at the mill.

There are many striving people among the factory operatives, who help up the family earnings by keeping a little shop in this way.