. A Struggle for Existence.
PART TWO.
CHAPTER I.
The first few weeks after Sarah's marriage there was little, if any, order in herfather's house. The hostess died; andthe wedding expenses cut a hole inShmuel's purse. Distress was apparenteverywhere. They were obliged to sellor pawn the most necessary householdgoods, and Leah took charge of the house.
They had supported themselves by mending the linen for the hospital. Leah also did similar work for the jail.
She brought up her little sisters and took care that her old father should not overwork himself. In the course of two or three months they lived as well as before, and perhaps better. The house was clean, and their wearing apparel mended. Leah herself worked from early in the morning till late at night. She also taught Chyene how to turn time into money; even Mushele, who was still a child, did not remain idle.
"Work sweetens life," quoth Leah, "he who doesn't work merely exists, especially people in our circumstances. Poor people cannot live without work."
The father of the family looked upon his daughter Leah with much pride, and according to his opinion, "It would be hard to find a girl as good as she." Leah in looks and character, was the opposite to her sister Chyene; she was tall, not
(Translated from the Yiddish by M. S. Mandell.)
particularly good looking, but with strongly-marked features, and large bright eyes in which one could read that she was able to protect herself.
Chyene was short, with a clear complexion and rather good looking; she had large eyes, which were always smiling and attractive. Her nose, instead of being long and pointed like her sister's, was short and thick, a pug nose in fact. She had a loving, whole-souled disposition, and was always ready for a frolic.
Leah was a silent worker.
Chyene was musically inclined and therefore was always singing. She spoke on every topic and took an interest in everything. When Leah heard anything she would first convince herself of its truth, and after thinking it over well she would then speak her mind. Chyene would become enthusiastic the very first minute; but, in a day, or frequently in an hour, her enthusiasm would subside and she would take a different view of the matter.
Whether Leah was hungry or well-fed, content or displeased, no one was the wiser; it was never read in her face; she kept it all to herself.
Chyene was ambitious only when she felt well, at other times her feelings were noticeable. Mushele had neither of the features of her sisters. She was sickly, was afraid of everything, and easily grieved.
Leah worked as hard as she could for