was the comforting suggestion of Rachel

  "Oh, you'll be able to earn something, and we can live very plain," said Mrs. Harding, affecting a cheerfulness she didn't feel.   "Pity you hadn't done it sooner," was the comforting suggestion of Rachel.   "Mustn't cry over spilt milk," said the cooper, good-humoredly. "Perhaps we might have lived a leetle more economically, but I don't think we've been extravagant."   "Besides, I can earn something, father," said Jack, hopefully. "You know I did this afternoon."   "So you can," said his mother, brightly.   "There ain't horses to hold every day," said Rachel, apparently fearing that the family might become too cheerful, when, like herself, it was their duty to be profoundly gloomy.   "You're always tryin' to discourage people, Aunt Rachel," said Jack, discontentedly.   Rachel took instant umbrage at these words.   "I'm sure," said she, mournfully, "I don't want to make you unhappy. If you can find anything to be cheerful about when you're on the verge of starvation, I hope you'll enjoy yourselves, and not mind me. I'm a poor, dependent creetur, and I feel I'm a burden."