Why, we shall be getting rich soon!" "Well, Rachel, have you no congratulations to offer ?" asked the cooper of his sister, who, in subdued sorrow, was eating as if it gave her no pleasure, but was rather a self-imposed penance.
"I don't see anything so very fortunate in being engaged as a porter," said Rachel, lugubriously.

"I heard of a porter once who had a great box fall upon him and kill him instantly; and I was reading in the _Sun_ yesterday of another out West somewhere who committed suicide." The cooper laughed.
"So, Rachel, you conclude that one or the other of these calamities is the inevitable lot of all who are engaged in this business ?" "You may laugh now, but it is always well to be prepared for the worst," said Rachel, oracularly.
"But it isn't well to be always looking for it, Rachel." "It'll come whether you look for it or not," retorted his sister, sententiously.
"Then suppose we waste no time thinking about it, since, according to your admission, it's sure to come either way." Rachel did not deign a reply, but continued to eat in serene melancholy.
"Won't you have another piece of pudding, Timothy ?" asked his wife.
"I don't care if I do, Martha, it's so good," said the cooper, passing his plate.

"Seems to me it's the best pudding you ever made." "You've got a good appetite, that is all," said Mrs.Harding, modestly disclaiming the compliment.
"Apple puddings are unhealthy," observed Rachel.
"Then what makes you eat them ?" asked Jack.
"A body must eat something.

Besides, life is so full of sorrow, it makes little difference if it's longer or shorter." "Won't you have another piece, Rachel ?" Aunt Rachel passed her plate, and received a second portion.

Jack winked slyly, but fortunately his aunt did not observe it.
When dinner was over, the cooper thought of the sealed envelope which had been given him for his wife.
"Martha," he said, "I nearly forgot that I have something for you." "For me ?" "Yes, from Mr.Merriam." "But he don't know me," said Mrs.Harding, in surprise.
"At any rate, he first asked me if I was married, and then handed me this envelope, which he asked me to give to you.