the autumn and winter, the needs of the little household
had been indifferently well supplied. Dolly had paid her servants and
had money for her butcher and grocer. Now this was no longer always the
case. Mr. Copley came sometimes with empty pockets and a very thin
pocket-book; he had forgotten, he said; or, he would make it all right
next time. Which Dolly found out he never did. Her servants' wages
began to get in arrear, and Dolly herself consequently into anxious
perplexity. She had, she knew, a little private stock of her own,
gained by her likenesses and other drawings; but like a wise little
woman as she was, Dolly resolved she would not touch it unless she came
to extremity. But what should she do? Just one thing she was clear
upon; she would _not_ run in debt; she would not have what she could
not pay for. She paid off one servant and dismissed her. This could not
happen without the knowledge of Mrs. Copley.

"But however are you going to manage? the latter asked in much concern.

"Honestly, mother. Oh, and nicely too. You will see. I must be a poor
thing if I could not keep these little rooms in order."

"And make beds? and set tables? and wash dishes?"

"I like to set tables. And what is it to wash two cups and spoons? And
if I make the beds, we shall have them comfortable."

"Jane certainly had her own ideas about making beds, and they were
different from mine," said Mrs. Copley. "But I hate to have you, Dolly.
It will make your hands red and rough."

"Nothing does that for my hands, luckily, mother, dear. Don't you mind.
We shall get on nicely."

"But what's the matter? haven't you got money enough?"

"Mother, I won't have servants that I cannot pay punctually."

"Don't your father give you money to pay them?"

"He gave me money enough to pay part; so I pay part, and send the other
part away," said Dolly gaily.

"I _hope_ he has not got into speculation again," said Mrs. Copley. "I
can't think what he busies himself about in London."

This subject Dolly changed as fast as she could. She feared something
worse than speculation. Whether it were cards, or dice, or betting, or
more business-like forms of the vice, however, the legitimate
consequences were not slow to come; the supply of money for the little
household down at Brierley became like the driblets of a stream which
has been led off from its proper bed by a side channel; only a few
trickling drops instead of the full, natural current. D