The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 103: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

94 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. been a good and faithful wife to thee—I have endured poverty, sickness, want, with thee—and never once repined—for I was happy with thee and with the childer. I have seen the bread taken from the mouths of my infants, to feed the dumb creatures which God sent to be the food of man, and never murmured ; and now, because, to save us all from starving, I have given up to this man a set of worthless papers—which, after all, were neither his nor yours—you would leave me— leave the mother of your children in anger. Is this just ?” “Yes,” said the weaver, sternly, ‘for you have betrayed me.” “ No, Tim—no,” replied his wife, bitterly ; ‘‘ I have not betrayed thee—that is impossible !” “How so?” demanded Tim. ‘* Because you never trusted me.”’ Poor Meg burst into tears—her heart was full. For years she had endured the injustice and the want of confidence on the part of her husband, without re- proach or discontent. ‘¢ Tt is the last drop which makes the cup run over.”’ And she wept bitterly. Tim, although what the neighbours called an excel- lent husband, was, like many of his caste who have acquired a certain degree of education, possessed with a very high opinion of his own capabilitids’ atfd judg- ment; hence he seldom condescended to consult his wife on any point, unless of a strictly domestic cha- ecomnuicloooks (SO