It was quite true that the minister's wife was a woman of excellent
practical sense, who had known how to make his small salary go very
far. In this respect she differed widely from her learned husband,
who in matters of business was scarcely more than a child. But, as
she intimated with truth, there was something better than
management, and that was ready cash.

"To support a family on six hundred dollars a year is very hard,
Grant, when there are three children," resumed his mother.

"I can't understand why a man like father can't command a better
salary," said Grant. "There's Rev. Mr. Stentor, in Waverley, gets
fifteen hundred dollars salary, and I am sure he can't compare
with father in ability."

"True, Grant, but your father is modest, and not given to blowing
his own trumpet, while Mr. Stentor, from all I can hear, has a very
high opinion of himself."

"He has a loud voice, and thrashes round in his pulpit, as if he
were a--prophet," said Grant, not quite knowing how to finish his
sentence.

"Your father never was a man to push himself forward. He is very
modest."

"I suppose that is not the only bill that we owe," said Grant.

"No; our unpaid bills must amount to at least two hundred dollars
more," answered his mother.