The grandmother held the baby on her knee, kissed the face, while her tears fell on it; then silently the two unwelcome visitors departed for their home, while Mrs.Stevens was so busily engaged with the ladies from Greensprings that she did not even bid them adieu.
Dark days were in store for Dorothe Stevens.

She heeded not the constant reduction of her money until it was gone.

Then she reasoned that her husband would soon return with a goodly supply, and she began to use her credit, which had always been good; but she found that the merchants who once had smiled on her frowned when she came to ask for credit.
"Have you heard from your husband, Dorothe Stevens ?" one asked, when she applied to him for credit.
"No." "He has been a long time gone." "Yes; but he will return." "The _Silverwing_ has not yet reached London." "How know you that ?" she asked, a momentary shadow coming over her face.
"The _Ocean Star_ hath just arrived, but brought no report from the _Silverwing_." "It left before the _Silverwing_ arrived.

The ship was delayed a little.
It has reached there safely by this time, I am quite sure," and Mrs.
Stevens face grew bright as she made some purchases for which she had not the money to pay.

The merchant sold to her reluctantly, and she, without dreaming that calamity could possibly befall her, went on enjoying herself.