It was all, even then, that the wife could do to make both ends meet; nor would her relations, whom she had grievously offended by her marriage, afford her the smallest assistance.

Even then, too, her husband was on the slippery incline; but as long as she lived she managed to keep him within the bounds of what is called respectability.

She died, however, soon after Gibbie was born; and then George began to lose himself altogether.

The next year his father died, and creditors appeared who claimed everything.

Mortgaged land and houses, with all upon and in them, were sold, and George left without a penny or any means of winning a livelihood, while already he had lost the reputation that might have introduced him to employment.