Was he not her husband? She was so glad she knew
it, that she might comfort him. And she did comfort him, making the
weight seem lighter and lighter on his shoulders as he talked of it.
And such weights do thus become lighter. A burden that will crush a
single pair of shoulders will, when equally divided--when shared by
two, each of whom is willing to take the heavier part--become light
as a feather. Is not that sharing of the mind's burdens one of the
chief purposes for which a man wants a wife? For there is no folly
so great as keeping one's sorrows hidden. And this wife cheerfully,
gladly, thankfully took her share. To endure with her lord all her
lord's troubles was easy to her; it was the work to which she had
pledged herself. But to have thought that her lord had troubles not
communicated to her,--that would have been to her the one thing not
to be borne. And then they discussed their plans; what mode of escape
they might have out of this terrible money difficulty. Like a true
woman, Mrs. Robarts proposed at once to abandon all superfluities.
They would sell all their horses; they would not sell their cows,
but would sell the butter that came from them; they would sell the
pony-carriage, and get rid of the groom. That the footman must go was
so much a matter of course, that it was hardly mentioned.
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