There was the great dining-table, heavy and square; the range of chairs, straight and square; the work-boxes, useful and square; the colouring of walls, and carpet, and curtains, all of the coldest description; everything was handsome, and everything was ugly.

Mrs Bradshaw was asleep in her easy-chair when they came in.

Jemima had just put down her work, and, lost in thought, she leant her cheek on her hand.

When she saw Ruth she brightened a little, and went to her and kissed her.

Mrs Bradshaw jumped up at the sound of their entrance, and was wide awake in a moment.
"Oh! I thought your father was here," said she, evidently relieved to find that he had not come in and caught her sleeping.
"Thank you, Mrs Denbigh, for coming to us to-night," said she, in the quiet tone in which she generally spoke in her husband's absence.
When he was there, a sort of constant terror of displeasing him made her voice sharp and nervous; the children knew that many a thing passed over by their mother when their father was away, was sure to be noticed by her when he was present; and noticed, too, in a cross and querulous manner, for she was so much afraid of the blame which on any occasion of their misbehaviour fell upon her.