All this had been observed, with pain, by William Moreland and his
wife, but, until the conversation recorded in the opening of this
story, no word or remonstrance or warning had been ventured upon by
the former. The spirit in which Moreland's words were received,
encouraged him to hope that he might exercise a salutary control
over Henry, if he persevered, and he resolved that he would extend
thus far towards him the offices of a true friend.
After dinner on the day during which her husband was absent, Ellen
called in to see Jane, and sit the afternoon with her. They were
only sisters, and had always loved each other much. During their
conversation, Jane said, in allusion to the season:
"It begins to feel a little chilly to-day, as if winter were coming.
And, by the way, you are going to get a cloak this fall, Ellen, are
you not?"
"Indeed, I can hardly tell, Jane," Ellen replied, in a serious tone;
"Henry's earnings, somehow or other, don't seem to go far with us;
and yet I try to be as prudent as I can. We have but a few dollars
laid by, and both of us want warm underclothing. Henry must have a
coat and pair of pantaloons to look decent this winter; so I must
try and do without the cloak, I suppose.
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