This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
112
ETHEL CHURCHILL.

the weak; and he must be ungrateful, because ingratitude is the necessary consequence of receiving favours of which we are ashamed. Money is the great breaker-up of love and friendship; and this is, I believe, the reason of the common saying, that "large families get on best in the world," because they can receive from each other assistance without degradation. The affection of family ties has the character on it of childhood in which it was formed; it is free, open, confiding; it has none of the delicacy of friendship, or the romance of sentiment: you know that success ought to be in common, and that you have but one interest.

"You must not look angry," said Walter, whose heart smote him for his petulant refusal. "My difficulties only need a week's hard work; but, I do not know how it is, I am not so industrious as I used to be. A little thing takes off my attention, and I am feverish and restless."

"It is," replied the other, "that you work too much."

"No," returned he, "it is that I do not