The money we could just muster up in the house, by the assistance of
the maid, who produced, in a green bag, all the little savings of
her service; but the man we could not expect to find. My daughter-
in-law gazed upon her children with a look of the wildest despair:
'My poor infants!' said she, 'your father is forced from you; who
shall now labour for your bread? or must your mother beg for herself
and you?' I prayed her to be patient; but comfort I had none to
give her. At last, calling the serjeant aside, I asked him, 'If I
was too old to be accepted in place of my son?'
"'Why, I don't know,' said he; 'you are rather old to be sure, but
yet the money may do much.'
"I put the money in his hand, and coming back to my children,
'Jack,' said I, 'you are free; live to give your wife and these
little ones bread; I will go, my child, in your stead; I have but
little life to lose, and if I staid, I should add one to the
wretches you left behind.'
"'No,' replied my son, 'I am not that coward you imagine me; heaven
forbid that my father's grey hairs should be so exposed, while I sat
idle at home; I am young and able to endure much, and God will take
care of you and my family.'
"'Jack,' said I, 'I will put an end to this matter, you have never
hitherto disobeyed me; I will not be contradicted in this; stay at
home, I charge you, and, for my sake, be kind to my children.
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