't see how you manage it on them wages," he added, eyeing
her with a shrewd, penetrating glance.

Clemence blushed under the close scrutiny.

"Do you call calico expensive?" she asked, calling his attention to her
own daintily fitting one.

"No," he answered, shifting uneasily in his seat, "of course it's the
cheapest and best thing a woman can wear, in my opinion."

"Of course," echoed Mrs. Owen, at his elbow, "but what does a man know
about such things? But I'll tell you one thing, Amos, if calico _is_ the
cheapest and best thing a woman can wear, I am going to have enough of
it after this."

"Well, have enough," he said impatiently, "though you will never look
pretty nor lady-like in anything. So don't flatter yourself, nor aspire
to imitate others who can. I suppose now, Miss Graystone," turning to
Clemence, "you think I don't want my wife to dress as well as others on
account of the expense; but, although I commenced poor, and have been
obliged to save pretty close, yet I never saw the time when I have not
done for my family to the extent my means afforded. Times are getting a
little easier with me now, though I ain't rich, far from it. Besides
there's another point to be considered. Now if _you_ get an article of
dress, you have some taste in making and wearing it," and he looked
admiringly at the trim figure before him; "but Susan here, completely
spoils everything she undertakes."

"There, Amos Owen," put in the aforementioned Susan, "don't try to lay
your stinginess on my shoulders, for, goodness knows, they have burden
enough already. And that ain't so, either, you know as well as I do that
you're only saying it to be contrary."

"Well, have it so," he said, crossly, and Clemence, to turn the subject,
asked if they were going to attend morning service on the coming
Sabbath.

"Not I," said Mr. Owen, "it's asking altogether too much of a hard
working man like me to get up and start off as regular as the Sunday
comes, without any rest whatever. I don't feel called upon to do it, for
one. Wife, here, can answer for herself."

"Why don't you say at once that she has not a decent dress to go in, and
you prefer to have her stay home and look after the children, while you
sleep away your time. I've no patience with you, Amos."

"So you are boarding at Owen's?" said Mrs. Swan, when Clemence stopped
for little Ruth, on her way to meeting.

"Yes," said Clemence, "they are an odd couple."

"They are all of