It had often lately been in tight places, but something had always happened to relieve him.

One day, however, there was absolutely no relief but in borrowing money, and David went to his uncle again.
It was a painful thing for him to do; not that they had any quarrel, though sometimes David thought a quarrel would be better than the scant and almost sad intercourse their once tender love had fallen into.

By some strange mental sympathy, hardly sufficiently recognized by us, John was thinking of his nephew when he entered.

He greeted him kindly, and pulled a chair close, so that David might sit beside him.
He listened sympathizingly to his cares, and looked mournfully into the unhappy face so dear to him; then he took his bank-book and wrote out a check for double the amount asked.
The young man was astonished; the tears sprang to his eyes, and he said, "Uncle, this is very good of you.

I wish I could tell you how grateful I am." "Davie, sit a moment, you dear lad.