If they happened to fall short, the miller would always advance them as much as they needed, repaying himself--and not very strictly--the next time the corn was sent from the Mains.

They were never in any want, and never had any money, except what their children brought them out of their small wages.

But that was plenty for their every need, nor had they the faintest feeling that they were persons to be pitied.
It was very cold up there in winter, to be sure, and they both suffered from rheumatism; but they had no debt, no fear, much love, and between them, this being mostly Janet's, a large hope for what lay on the other side of death: as to the rheumatism, that was necessary, Janet said, to teach them patience, for they had no other trouble.

They were indeed growing old, but neither had begun to feel age a burden yet, and when it should prove such, they had a daughter prepared to give up service and go home to help them.
Their thoughts about themselves were nearly lost in their thoughts about each other, their children, and their friends.

Janet's main care was her old man, and Robert turned to Janet as the one stay of his life, next to the God in whom he trusted.