It would be as a drop of water to the millionaire; it would be as a countless fortune to one in the depths of poverty: we estimate things by comparison.

The sum was five thousand pounds each--Mrs.Massingbird, by her second marriage with Mr.Verner, having forfeited all right in it.

With this sum the young Massingbirds appeared to think that they could live as gentlemen, and need not seek to add to it.
Thrown into the luxurious home of Verner's Pride--again we must speak by comparison: Verner's Pride was luxurious compared to the moderate home they had been reared in--John and Frederick Massingbird suffered that worst complaint of all complaints, indolence, to overtake them and become their master.

John, careless, free, unsteady in many ways, set on to spend his portion as fast as he could; Frederick, more cold, more cautious, did not squander as his brother did, but he had managed to get rid of a considerable amount of his own share in unfortunate speculations.

While losses do not affect our personal convenience they are scarcely felt.