“I believe I do,” replied the cooper.  “Of course, it’s a regular proceeding; but you must excuse me if I think of it in another light, when I reflect that to-morrow at this time my family and myself may be without a shelter.”

“My dear sir, positively you are looking on the dark side of things.  It is actually sinful to distrust Providence as you seem to do.  You’re a little disappointed, that’s all.  Just take to-night to sleep on it, and I’ve no doubt you’ll think better of it and of me.  But positively I have stayed longer than I intended.  Good night, my friends.  I’ll look in upon you in the morning.  And by the by, as it is so near the time, allow me to wish you a Happy New Year.”

The door closed upon the landlord, leaving behind two anxious hearts.

“It looks well in him to wish that,” said the cooper, gloomily.  “A great deal he is doing to make it so.  I don’t know how it seems to others, but for my part I never say them words to any one unless I really wish ’em well, and am willing to do something to make ’em so.  I should feel as if I was a hypocrite if I acted anyways different.”

Mary did not respond to this.  In her own gentle heart she could not help feeling a silent repugnance, mingled, it may be, with a shade of contempt, for the man who had just left them.  It was an uncomfortable feeling, and she strove to get rid of it.”

“Is there any tenement vacant in this neighborhood?” she asked.

“Yes, there’s the one at the corner, belonging to Mr. Harrison.”

“It is a better one than this.”

“Yes, but Harrison only asks the same that we have been paying.  He is not so exorbitant as Colman.”

“Couldn’t we get that?”

“I am afraid, if he knew that we had failed to pay our rent here, he would object.”

“But he knows you are honest, and that nothing but the hard times would have brought you to such a pass.”

“It may be, Mary.  At any rate you have lightened my heart a little.  I feel as if there was some hope left.”

“We ought always to feel so, Timothy.  There was one thing that Mr. Colman said that didn’t sound so well, coming from his lips; but it’s true, for all that.”

“What do you mean, Mary?”

“I mean that about not distrusting Providence.  Many a time have I been comforted by reading the verse, “Never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or his seed begging bread.  “As long as we try to do what is right, Timothy, God will not suffer us to want.”

“You are right, Mary.  He is our ever-present help in time of need.  Let us put away all anxious cares, fully confiding in his gracious promises.”

They retired to rest thoughtfully, but not sadly.

The fire upon the hearth flickered, and died out at length.  The last sands of the old year were running out, and the new morning ushered in its successor.

CHAPTER IV.