And the old cousin in Kendal proved unexpectedly generous.

She wrote him a long Scriptural letter, rating him for disobedience to his father, and warning him against debt; but she lent him twenty pounds, so that, for the present, Phoebe could be left in comparative comfort, and he had something in his pocket.
Yet with this easing of circumstance, the relation between husband and wife did not improve.

During this last week, indeed, Phoebe teased him to make a sketch of himself to leave with her.

He began it unwillingly, then got interested, and finally made a vigorous sketch, as ample as their largest looking-glass would allow, with which he was extremely pleased.

Phoebe delighted in it, hung it up proudly in the parlour, and repaid him with smiles and kisses.
Yet the very next day, under the cloud of his impending departure, she went about pale and woe-begone, on the verge of tears or temper.