The cooking is sometimes done with a few simple utensils over the open fire.

Water must be brought from a spring at the foot of the hill, at an expenditure of strength and endurance.

The cramped house has no conveniences to lighten labor or to awaken pride.

The overworked wife and mother has no social life, except perhaps attendance at the services at the country church to which the family rides in a springless wagon.

Such families see their neighbors prosper without attempting to discover the secret for themselves.