A great many good people strove with George--they were always at it, in fact--but he calmly took such efforts as his due and their duty, and did not mend his ways.

He added a vice, presently--that of secret gambling.

He got deeply in debt; he borrowed money on the firm's credit, as quietly as he could, and carried this system so far and so successfully that one morning the sheriff took possession of the establishment, and the two cousins found themselves penniless.
Times were hard, now, and they grew worse.

Edward moved his family into a garret, and walked the streets day and night, seeking work.

He begged for it, but it was really not to be had.