And that was nearly all she could say; for she did not wish to offer false consolation, and she could think of no genuine words of comfort.
After a while, each grew more composed and less reserved; and then the whole matter was talked over, and all that Jane could say, that seemed likely to soothe and give hope to Ellen's mind, was said with earnestness and affection.
"What have you there ?" at length asked Ellen, glancing towards the chair upon which Jane had laid her bundle.
Jane paused a moment, as if in self-communion, and then said-- "Only a pair of blankets, and a couple of calico dresses that I have been out buying." "Let me look at them," said Ellen, in as cheerful a voice as she could assume.
A large heavy pair of blankets, for which Jane had paid five dollars, were now unrolled, and a couple of handsome chintz dresses, of dark rich colors, suitable for the winter season, displayed.

It was with difficulty that Ellen could restrain a sigh, as she looked at these comfortable things, and thought of how much she needed, and of how little she had to hope for.

Jane felt that such thoughts must pass through her sister's mind, and she also felt much pained that she had undesignedly thus added, by contrast, to Ellen's unhappy feelings.

When she returned home, she put away her new dresses and her blankets.

She had no heart to look at them, no heart to enjoy her own good things, while the sister she so much loved was denied like present comforts, and, worse than all, weighed down with a heart-sickening dread of the future.
We will not linger to contrast, in a series of domestic pictures, the effects of industry and idleness on the two married sisters and their families,--effects, the causes of which, neither aided materially in producing.