How could he find fault with her?
She knew nothing of such sordid life as he had gone through, and to lack money for necessities seemed to her degrading beyond endurance.

Why, even the ordinary artisan's wife does not suffer such privations as hers at the end of the past year.

For lack of that little money his life must be ruined.

Of late he had often thought about the rich uncle, John Yule, who might perhaps leave something to Amy; but the hope was so uncertain.

And supposing such a thing were to happen; would it be perfectly easy to live upon his wife's bounty--perhaps exhausting a small capital, so that, some years hence, their position would be no better than before?
Not long ago, he could have taken anything from Amy's hand; would it be so simple since the change that had come between them?
Having written his second magazine-article (it was rejected by two editors, and he had no choice but to hold it over until sufficient time had elapsed to allow of his again trying The Wayside), he saw that he must perforce plan another novel.