It was matter of little thought now whether they were seen or no.
Whether he could be made fit to go into his pulpit--whether they
might be fed--those four innocents--and their backs kept from the
cold wind--that was now the matter of her thought. And then two of
them died, and she went forth herself to see them laid under the
frost-bound sod, lest he should faint in his work over their graves.
For he would ask aid from no man--such at least was his boast through
all. Two of them died, but their illness had been long; and then
debts came upon them. Debt, indeed, had been creeping on them with
slow but sure feet during the last five years. Who can see his
children hungry, and not take bread if it be offered? Who can see
his wife lying in sharpest want, and not seek a remedy if there be a
remedy within reach? So debt had come upon them, and rude men pressed
for small sums of money--for sums small to the world, but impossibly
large to them. And he would hide himself within there, in that cranny
of an inner chamber--hide himself with deep shame from the world,
with shame, and a sinking heart, and a broken spirit.
But had such a man no friend? it will be said. Such men, I take it,
do not make many friends. But this man was not utterly friendless.
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