On the next morning, the unsteady hand of Jarvis, as he lifted his saucer to his lips at the breakfast-table, made his wife’s heart sink again in her bosom.  She had felt a hope, almost unconsciously.  She remembered that at supper-time his hand was firm—­now it was unnerved.  This was conclusive to her mind, that, notwithstanding his appearance, he had been drinking.  But few words passed during the meal, for neither felt much inclined to converse.

After breakfast, Jarvis returned to the shop and worked steadily until dinner-time, and then again until evening.  As on the night before, he did not go out, but retired early to bed.  And this was continued all the week.  But the whole was a mystery to his poor wife, who dared not even to hope for any real change for the better.  On Saturday, towards night, he laid by his work, put on his coat and hat, and went into the front shop.

“So you have really worked a week, a sober man, John?” Mr. Lankford said.

“Indeed, I have.  Since last Sunday morning, no kind of intoxicating liquor has passed my lips.”

“How much have you earned this week, John?”

“Here is the foreman’s account of my work, sir.  It comes to twelve dollars.”

“Still a fast workman.  You will yet recover yourself, and your family will again be happy, if you persevere.”

“O, sir, they shall be happy!  I will persevere!”

Another pause ensued, and then Jarvis said, while the color mounted to his cheek—­

“If you are willing, Mr. Lankford, I should like you to deduct only one-half of what I owe you for those furs I took from you, from this week’s wages.  My family are in want of a good many things; and I am particularly desirous of buying a barrel of flour to-night.”

“Say nothing of that, John.  Let it be forgotten with your past misdeeds.  Here are your wages—­twelve dollars—­and if it gives you as much pleasure to receive, as it does me to pay them, then you feel no ordinary degree of satisfaction.”

Mr. Jarvis received the large sum for him to possess, and hurried away to a grocery.  Here he bought, for six dollars, a barrel of flour, and expended two dollars more of his wages in sugar, coffee, tea, molasses, &c.  Near to the store was the market-house.  Thence he repaired, and bought meat and various kinds of vegetables, with butter, &c.  These he carried to the store, and gave directions to have all sent home to him.  He had now two dollars left out of the twelve he had earned since Monday morning, and with these in his pocket, he returned home.  As he drew near the house, his heart fluttered in anticipation of the delightful change that would pass upon all beneath its humble roof.  He had never in his life, experienced feelings of such real joy.