Father spoiled her, and mother gave in to her more than she did to me; and when trouble came all along of Robert Owen, and he used her cruel, just flinging her aside when he saw some one he fancied more than Phoebe, and driving her mad with spite and jealousy, then she let herself go, as it were.

She was never religious, not to speak of, all the time she kept company with Robert, so when her hopes of him came to an end she had nothing to support her.

It needs plenty of faith to make us bear our troubles patiently.' 'And then her health failed.' 'Yes; and mother died, and father followed her within six months, and Phoebe could not be with them, and she took on about that; she has had a deal of trouble, and that is why I cannot find it in my heart to be hard on her; she was that fond of Robert, though he was a worthless sort of fellow, that, as the saying is, she worshipped the ground he walked on.
Ah, Phoebe was bonnie-looking then, though she was never over-strong, and had not much colour; but he need not have called her a sickly ill-tempered wench when he threw her over and married Nancy.

It was a cruel way to serve a woman that loved him as Phoebe did.' 'She has certainly had her share of trouble.

How long ago did this happen to your sister ?' 'It must be five years since Robert and Nancy were married.