“Now,” said he, as the woman resumed her seat, “let me give you the best maxim for the poor in the English language; one that, if lived by, will soon extinguish poverty, or make it a very light thing,—­’God helps those who help themselves.’  To be very plain with you, it is clear to my eyes, that you do not try to help yourselves; such being the case, you need not expect gratuitous help from God.  Last evening you received some coal and a basket of provisions from a kind-hearted man, who promised more efficient aid to-day.  You have not yet heard from him, and what is more, will not hear from him.  Some one, to whom he applied for a contribution happened to know more about you than he did, and broadly pronounced you a set of idle vagabonds.  Just think of bearing such a character!  He dropped the matter at once, and you will get nothing from him.  I am one of those upon whom he called.  Now, if you are all disposed to help yourselves, I will try to stand your friend.  If not, I shall have nothing to do with you.  I speak plainly; it is better; there will be less danger of apprehension.  That oldest boy of yours must go to work and earn something.  And your daughter can work about the house for you very well, while you go out to wash, or scrub, and thus earn a dollar or two, or three, every week.  There will be no danger of starvation on this income, and you will then eat your bread in independence.  Mr. Gardiner can help some, I do not in the least doubt.”

And Mr. Prescott looked inquiringly at the man.

“If I was only able-bodied,” said Gardiner, in a half reluctant tone and manner.

“But you are not.  Still, there are many things you may do.  If by a little exertion you can earn the small sum of two or three dollars a week, it will be far better—­even for your health—­than idleness.  Two dollars earned every week by your wife, two by your boy, and three by yourself, would make seven dollars a week; and if I am not very much mistaken, you don’t see half that sum in a week now.”

“Indeed, sir, and you speak the truth there,” said the woman.

“Very well.  It’s plain, then, that work is better than idleness.”

“But we can’t get work.”  The woman fell back upon this strong assertion.

“Don’t believe a word of it.  I can tell you how to earn half a dollar a day for the next four or five days at least.  So there’s a beginning for you.  Put yourself in the way of useful employment, and you will have no difficulty beyond.”

“What kind of work, sir?” inquired the woman.

“We are about moving into a new house, and my wife commences the work of having it cleaned to-morrow morning.  She wants another assistant.  Will you come?”

The woman asked the number of his residence, and promised to accept the offer of work.

“Very well.  So far so good,” said Mr. Prescott, cheerfully, as he arose.  “You shall be paid at the close of each day’s work; and that will give you the pleasure of eating your own bread—­a real pleasure, you may depend upon it; for a loaf of bread earned is sweeter than the richest food bestowed by charity, and far better for the health.”