All we could spare from the supply of our humble wardrobe and our little casual expenses, he directed us to put into the savings'-bank; saying, we knew not how soon we might be dependent on that alone for support: for he felt he had not long to be with us, and what would become of our mother and us when he was gone, God only knew! Dear papa! if he had troubled himself less about the afflictions that threatened us in case of his death, I am convinced that dreaded event would not have taken place so soon.

My mother would never suffer him to ponder on the subject if she could help it.
'Oh, Richard!' exclaimed she, on one occasion, 'if you would but dismiss such gloomy subjects from your mind, you would live as long as any of us; at least you would live to see the girls married, and yourself a happy grandfather, with a canty old dame for your companion.' My mother laughed, and so did my father: but his laugh soon perished in a dreary sigh.
'_They_ married--poor penniless things!' said he; 'who will take them I wonder!' 'Why, nobody shall that isn't thankful for them.

Wasn't I penniless when you took me?
and you _pretended_, at least, to be vastly pleased with your acquisition.

But it's no matter whether they get married or not: we can devise a thousand honest ways of making a livelihood.

And I wonder, Richard, you can think of bothering your head about our _poverty_ in case of your death; as if _that_ would be anything compared with the calamity of losing you--an affliction that you well know would swallow up all others, and which you ought to do your utmost to preserve us from: and there is nothing like a cheerful mind for keeping the body in health.' 'I know, Alice, it is wrong to keep repining as I do, but I cannot help it: you must bear with me.' 'I _won't_ bear with you, if I can alter you,' replied my mother: but the harshness of her words was undone by the earnest affection of her tone and pleasant smile, that made my father smile again, less sadly and less transiently than was his wont.
'Mamma,' said I, as soon as I could find an opportunity of speaking with her alone, 'my money is but little, and cannot last long; if I could increase it, it would lessen papa's anxiety, on one subject at least.