Mother and daughter looked at each other rather ruefully.

"Oh, dear me!" whispered Nan. "I never do open my mouth but I
put my foot in it!"

"Goodness!" returned her mother, much amused. "That is an
acrobatic feat that I never believed you capable of, honey."

"We-ell! I reminded Papa Sherwood of our hard luck instead of
being bright and cheerful like you."

"We will give him a nice supper, honey, and make him forget his
troubles. Time enough to call to order the ways and means
committee afterward." Her husband came back into the kitchen as
Nan finished arranging the hair. "Come, Papa Sherwood!" cried
the little lady. "Hot biscuit; the last of the honey; sweet
pickles; sliced cold ham; and a beautiful big plum cake that our
Nan made this morning before school time, her own self. You MUST
smile at all those dainties."

And the husband and father smiled. They all made an effort to
help each other. But they knew that with the loss of his work
would doubtless come the loss of the home. During the years that
had elapsed, Mr. Sherwood had paid in part for the cottage; but
now the property was deteriorating instead of advancing in value.
He could not increase the mortgage upon it. Prompt payment of
interest half-yearly was demanded. And how could he meet these
payments, not counting living expenses, when his income was
entirely cut off?