reaking up the sharp and fixed
lines of care into which her features had settled as a habitual
expression, and causing her also to look as she did in the "old
times," to which she now so kindly referred.

"Wont you, Moggs?" added she, laying her hand upon his shoulder, "it
would be so pleasant, dear--wouldn't it? I should not mind hard work,
Moggs, if you were at work near me."

There was a tear, perhaps, twinkling in the eye of the wife, giving
gentleness to the hard, stony look which she in general wore, caused
by those unceasing troubles of her existence that leave no time for
weeping. Perpetual struggle hardens the heart and dries up the source
of tears.

"Wont you, Moggs?"

The idea of combined effort was a pleasant family picture to Mrs.
Moggs, though it did involve not a little of toil. Still, to her
loneliness it was a pleasant picture, accustomed as she had been to
strive alone, and continually, to support existence. But it seems that
perceptions of the pleasant and of the picturesque in such matters,
differ essentially; and Moggs, glancing through the sentimental, and
beyond it, felt determined, as he always did, to avoid the trouble
which it threatened.

"Can't be," responded Moggs, slightly shrugging his shoulder, as a
hint to his wife that the weight of her hand was oppressive. "Can't
be," continued he, as he set himself industriously--for in this Moggs
was industrious--to the consumption of the best part of the breakfast
that was before him--a breakfast that had been, as usual, provided by
his wife, and prepared by her, while Montezuma Moggs was fast
asleep--an amusement to which, next to eating, Montezuma Moggs was
greatly addicted when at home, as demanding the least possible effort
and exertion on his part. Montezuma Moggs, you see, was in some
respects not a little of an economist; and, as a rule, never made his
appearance in the morning until firmly assured that breakfast was
quite ready--"'most ready," was too indefinite and vague for Montezuma
Moggs--he had been too often tricked from comfort in that way
before--people will so impose on one in this respect--envious people,
who covet your slumbers--such as those who drag the covering off, or
sprinkle water on the unguarded physiognomy. But Moggs took care, in
the excess of his caution, that no time should be lost by him in a
tedious interval of hungry expectation.

"Say ready--quite ready--and I'll come," muttered he, in that sleepy
debate b