"He isn't at all sure when it will be safe to commence work; perhaps not before spring." "Didn't I tell you so ?" commented Rachel, with sepulchral sadness.
Even Mrs.Harding couldn't help looking sober.
"I suppose, Timothy, you haven't formed any plans," she said.
"No, I haven't had time.

I must try to get something else to do." "What, for instance ?" "Anything by which I can earn a little; I don't care if it's only sawing wood.

We shall have to get along as economically as we can--cut our coat according to our cloth." "Oh, you'll be able to earn something, and we can live very plain," said Mrs.Harding, affecting a cheerfulness she didn't feel.
"Pity you hadn't done it sooner," was the comforting suggestion of Rachel.
"Mustn't cry over spilt milk," said the cooper, good-humoredly.

"Perhaps we might have lived a leetle more economically, but I don't think we've been extravagant." "Besides, I can earn something, father," said Jack, hopefully.

"You know I did this afternoon." "So you can," said his mother, brightly.
"There ain't horses to hold every day," said Rachel, apparently fearing that the family might become too cheerful, when, like herself, it was their duty to be profoundly gloomy.
"You're always tryin' to discourage people, Aunt Rachel," said Jack, discontentedly.
Rachel took instant umbrage at these words.
"I'm sure," said she, mournfully, "I don't want to make you unhappy.