Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/160

152 "And blessed are those who seek such comforts, dear Mrs. Aikin. But this poor woman—will she be willing to leave Juliet with you?"

"She will be glad to. Her only desire now seems to be, for the little time that remains, to do right. Oh, Mr. Barlow, I believe there are many people in wicked courses who would turn from them if they only had some true friend. I wish Paulina to stay here the little time she has to live, so does my husband; but he will not run in debt, not even to help the distressed, which is a great temptation. It takes more than one would think to keep such a family as ours in necessaries; and, through the blessing of kind Providence upon our exertions, we have always had those, and some luxuries too."

"What luxuries?" asked Mr. Barlow, with a smile.

"A good warm fire all day —and a fire for Lottie's room whenever she wants it; plenty of books for the children, and a share in a library for ourselves—and the pleasure of going to bed every Saturday night without owing a shilling, and a little something in the Savings' Bank against a wet day; and—and—" Susan hesitated, for really she could not remember any thing else that did not come within the large class of necessaries. Mr. Barlow finished her list—

"And a shelter and food at your table for a friendless stranger. Mrs. Aikin, if I could help you to put your kind wishes into operation for this poor woman, it would be a real pleasure to me. I can