“What is the matter with you, George?” said Mrs. Allison to her husband, as he paced the floor of their little sitting-room, with an anxious, troubled expression of countenance.

“Oh! nothing of much consequence:  only a little worry of business,” replied Mr. Allison.

“But I know better than that, George.  I know it is of consequence; you are not apt to have such a long face for nothing.  Come, tell me what it is that troubles you.  Have I not a right to share your griefs as well as your joys?”

“Indeed, Ellen, it is nothing but business, I assure you; and as I am not blessed with the most even temper in the world, it does not take much you know to upset me:  but you heard me speak of that job I was building for Hillman?”

“Yes.  I think you said it was to be five hundred dollars, did you not?”

“I did; and it was to have been cash as soon as done.  Well, he took it out two weeks ago; one week sooner than I promised it.  I sent the bill with it, expecting, of course, he would send me a check for the amount; but I was disappointed.  Having heard nothing from him since, I thought I would call on him this morning, when, to my surprise, I was told he had gone travelling with his wife and daughter, and would not be back for six weeks or two months.  I can’t tell you how I felt when I was told this.”

“He is safe enough for it I suppose, isn’t he, George?”

“Oh, yes; he is supposed to be worth about three hundred thousand.  But what good is that to me?  I was looking over my books this afternoon, and, including this five hundred, there is just fifteen hundred dollars due me now, that I ought to have, but can’t get it.  To a man doing a large business it would not be much; but to one with my limited means, it is a good deal.  And this is all in the hands of five individuals, any one of whom could pay immediately, and feel not the least inconvenience from it.”

“Are you much pressed for money just now, George?”

“I have a note in bank of three hundred, which falls due to-morrow, and one of two hundred and fifty on Saturday.  Twenty-five dollars at least will be required to pay off my hands; and besides this, our quarter’s rent is due on Monday, and my shop rent next Wednesday.  Then there are other little bills I wanted to settle, our own wants to be supplied, &c.”

“Why don’t you call on those persons you spoke of; perhaps they would pay you?”

“I have sent their bills in, but if I call on them so soon I might perhaps affront them, and cause them to take their work away; and that I don’t want to do.  However, I think I shall have to do it, let the consequence be what it may.”

“Perhaps you could borrow what you need, George, for a few days.”

“I suppose I could; but see the inconvenience and trouble it puts me to.  I was so certain of getting Hillman’s money to meet these two notes, that I failed to make any other provision.”