City men look more after
their shillings, and their wives and daughters have less to
spend. It was besides a wet autumn, and bread rose greatly in
price. When I add to this that Diamond's mother was but poorly,
for a new baby was coming, you will see that these were not very
jolly times for our friends in the mews.
Notwithstanding the depressing influences around him,
Joseph was able to keep a little hope alive in his heart; and
when he came home at night, would get Diamond to read to him,
and would also make Nanny produce her book that he might see how
she was getting on. For Diamond had taken her education in hand,
and as she was a clever child, she was very soon able to put
letters and words together.
Thus the three months passed away, but Mr. Raymond did not
return. Joseph had been looking anxiously for him, chiefly with
the desire of getting rid of Ruby -- not that he was absolutely
of no use to him, but that he was a constant weight upon his
mind. Indeed, as far as provision went, he was rather worse off
with Ruby and Nanny than he had been before, but on the other
hand, Nanny was a great help in the house, and it was a comfort
to him to think that when the new baby did come, Nanny would be
with his wife.
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