trouble; you wouldn't think so lightly of it."

"What is the great trouble now, Jane?" said my husband, without
being at all fretted with my unamiable temper. "Let us hear. Perhaps
I can suggest a remedy."

"If you will get me a washerwoman, you will exceedingly oblige me,"
said I.

"Where is Harriet?" he asked.

"She is sick, or pretends to be, I don't know which."

"Perhaps she will be well enough to do your washing to-morrow,"
suggested my husband.

"Perhaps is a poor dependence."

I said this with a tartness that ill repaid my husband's effort to
comfort me. I saw that he felt the unkindness of my manner, in the
slight shade that passed over his face.

"Can't you get some one else to do your washing this week?"

I made no reply. The question was easily asked. After that, my
husband was silent,--silent in that peculiar way that I understood,
too well, as the effect of my words, or tones, or state of mind.
Here was another cause for unhappiness, in the reflection that I had
disturbed my husband's peace.