"You will have to order some coal," she said, at last; "we have hardly
sufficient for the day."

"Is there anything more, Mrs. Taggard?" inquired her husband;
ironically.

"Yes; neither I nor the children are decently or comfortably clothed;
all need an entire new outfit."

"Go on, madam. As I am a man of unlimited means, if you have any other
wants, I hope you won't be at all backward about mentioning them."

"I don't intend to be," was the quiet, but spirited reply. "I wouldn't
do for another what I do for you, for double my board and clothing.
Both the parlor and sitting-room need refurnishing; everything looks
so faded and shabby, that I am ashamed to have any one call. And the
stairs need recarpeting, the blinds and gate need repairing, and the
fence needs painting."

"That can't be all, Mrs. Taggard. Are you sure that there isn't
something else?"

"I don't think of anything else just now, Mr. Taggard; though if there
should be a few dollars over and above what these will cost, they
won't come amiss. I should like to have a little change in my pocket,
if only for the novelty of the thing. You needn't fear its being
wasted."

Mr. Taggard was evidently not a little astonished at this sudden