She had discussed the question with him often before, and she knew the strict justice of his claim; but her heart ached for the poor friendless old woman, who was thus to lose her last dollar.

If it had been possible for Mercy to have continued to pay the rent of the wing herself, she would gladly have done so; but, at her suggestion of such a thing, Stephen had been so angry that she had been almost frightened.
"I am not so poor yet, Mercy," he had exclaimed, "as to take charity from you! I think I should go to the alms-house myself first.

I don't see why old Granny Jacobs is so much to you, any way." "Only because she is so absolutely friendless, Stephen," Mercy had replied gently.

"I never before knew of anybody who had not a relative or a friend in the world; and I am afraid they are cruel to the poor people at the alms-house.

They all look so starved and wretched!" "Well, it will be no more than she deserves," said Stephen; "for she was cruel to her husband's brother's wife.