To make matters worse--and this it was
that suggested the discussion--Jessie had been down in Stromness on
the previous evening, and there ascertained that the price paid for
straw-plaiting, which was never very high, was to be greatly
reduced.
"I'm sure we're ill enough off already without them cutting us down
at such a rate," said my mother, as she took a sip of tea from her
saucer. "If it had not been for what the dominie brought from
Edinburgh for Hal's silver, we'd have been most hard pressed this
while back. But what we're to do when the winter comes round, I
dinna ken. It's certain we'll not have meal enough to serve us; and
there's the rent to pay, and clothes to get, and nothing coming in
at all."
"Well, mother," said Jessie, "dinna take on so ill about it. We're
not more hard pressed than our neighbours. Look at Janet Ross with
all her bairns, and her rent owing for three terms; and auld Betty
Matthew, at the Croft, who hasna a penny forbye what she gets at
the kelp burning. We have our two bonnie cows, and a score of good
sheep, and all our hens."
"We have all that," replied my mother. "But I'm thinking the sheep
must be sold at Martinmas, or we'll not have much of a living for
winter."
"Then, if you sell the sheep, Halcro will need to go to the
fishing," said Jessie.
Pages:
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216