And all the time they have been expecting
it they have been helpless to avert it and unable to prepare for
it."
"They might have saved some of their wages, I suppose," said
Bess. "I heard father say the other night how much money the
mills paid out in a year to the hands, some perfectly enORmous
sum."
"But just think how many people that has to be divided among,"
urged Nan. "Lots of the men earn only eight or nine dollars a
week, and have families to support."
"Well, of course, they don't have to be supported as we are,"
objected the easy-minded Bess. "Anyway my father says frugality
should be taught to the poor just the same as reading and
writing.
They ought to learn how to save."
"When you earn only just enough to supply your needs, and no
more, how can you divide your income so as to hoard up any part
of it?"
"Dear me! Don't ask questions in political economy out of
school, Nan!" cried Bess, forgetting that she had started the
discussion herself. "I just HATE that study, and wish we didn't
have to take it! I can't answer that question, anyway."
"I'll answer it then," declared Nan. "If you are a mill-hand
your stomach won't let you save money. There probably won't be a
dozen families affected by this shut-down who have more than ten
dollars saved.
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