THE LAST PENNY. 13

 

to an expression of discontent. But he
loved Lizzy better than any earthly thing,
and to see her turn with loathing from her
coarse food, the best he was able to procure
for her, aroused his sluggish nature into re-
bellion against his lot. But he saw no
remedy. |

“Can't we get something a little better
for Lizzy ?” said he, as he pushed his plate
aside, his appetite for once gone before his
meal was half eaten.

Not unless you can earn more,” replied
the'wife. “Cut and carve, and manage as
I will, it’s as much as I can do to get com-
mon food.”

Claire pushed himself back from the
table, and without saying a word more,
went up to his shop in the garret, and sat
down to work. There was a troubled and
despondent feeling about his heart. He did
not light his pipe as usual, for he had
smoked up the last of his tobacco on the
evening before. But he had a penny left,
and with that, as soon as he had finished