Destitute of money and of hope, I was in the utmost distress of mind and body. My children, who had hitherto been a consolation under all my misfortunes, were now my heaviest grievance, as I felt their wants more sensibly than my own; and had no hope of being able to gain a support for so many. This thought almost discouraged me from doing what I might, because I knew it would not be sufficient. However, pressed by necessity, as much as by despair, I applied to my landlady to procure me some needlework; the only thing I was capable of doing. My landlady, who kept a little shop, told me, she had a good customer, from whom she fansied I might receive employment; and went directly to ask for some, and accordingly brought me a little.

I dispatched this work with the utmost haste a starving person could make, to procure food for herself, and those who were still dearer to her, and prepared to carry it home; whereupon my landlady hinted, that at my return she should expect to receive what was paid me, in part of my week's lodging, which was then due.

This was a great damp on the joy I felt in going to claim the trifle I had gained; which was so little, as sufficiently proved the impossibility of maintaining, with my own hands, myself and family. I had not long to indulge my reflections; and they were too melancholy for me to wish their continuance; for the house, to which I was to carry my work, was very near.

I was led in to the mistress of it, whose appearance, as well as that of every thing about her, left me in no doubt of her occupation. She inquired into my circumstances; which I told, with that readiness wherewith the unhappy always relate their sufferings.