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E lizabeth started to call out to her uncle when she entered the shop but stopped when she heard low, urgent voices coming from his office.

Thinking that he had a client, she quietly hung up her coat and found the list of tasks he left for her each morning.

As she approached the office door, however, she recognized the other man’s voice as her father’s.

She slowed and finally stopped right outside the open door.

Yes, she felt guilty for eavesdropping, but the tension in her father’s voice was palpable. She couldn’t tear herself away.

“I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do, Ed.

Spending what we have been for food and adding what we’ll need for additional firewood as the winter goes on, I figure I’ll run out of savings about the end of February.

We can’t get the garden and the crops producing for months, and if we eat all the livestock, there will be no eggs or milk—except the goat’s—and no sows to give us piglets next year. ”

“Madeline and I refuse to let you starve. Together we will think of something.”

“No.You’ve done enough for us, more than you should have. As it is, I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“Don’t be nonsensical—”

“We can’t live off you and Madeline. It isn’t right. Is it not humiliating enough that I can’t shelter my own family? At least leave me some of my dignity and let me figure out how to feed them.”

Ed paused.“I didn’t mean to insult you—”

“I know you didn’t. You’re very generous, and I know your offer is made out of concern, but I simply can’t take advantage of you. We’ll make do somehow.”

“What about the money the girls are bringing in?”

“Kitty and Lydia are still selling eggs. It’s helpful but still just a drop in the bucket.”

“I can pay Lizzy in cornmeal, soup beans, anything I have that you all need,” Ed offered.

“That would help on the food end.” He continued, after a pause. “I have a spinster aunt in Chattanooga. One of the girls might be able to go and live with her. My sister writes that Aunt Irene might be in need of a caregiver. Perhaps Mary could go… or Kitty.”

“You don’t want to split up the family, Thomas.The girls need each other.”

Her father went on, talking almost to himself.

“Lizzy would be the best suited for something like that, but even though I know it isn’t right, I’ve come to rely on her these last few months for encouragement and conversation.

The other girls aren’t too interested in English literature.

Besides, Lizzy already has a job with you, and we haven’t been able to find any consistent work for Mary. ”

“I still think you should keep your family together.”

“I may not have a choice.At any rate, some or all of them will eventually marry and split themselves up, I suppose. I have to admit, I was half-hoping young Bingley might make his move toward Jane. He seemed quite interested in her before Christmas.He’s a nice enough fellow, and Jane seems to like him, but that appears to be going nowhere. ”

There was another awkward pause.“Damn it all! I sound more mercenary than my wife! I can’t believe I’m actually considering marrying off my girls to any old Joe to try and make ends meet.I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself. Honestly, Ed, when push comes to shove, I would never do that to them.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t. This is all just coming out of frustration.Try not to worry too much, Thomas. You’ll make yourself sick.I’ve learned that things have a way of working out somehow. Something unexpected may turn up at any time.”

“I hope you’re right, brother. I really do.”

“Have you told Fanny about this? The shortfall of funds, I mean.”

“I can’t.”

“She’s tougher than you think.”

“Perhaps. But I’m afraid she will worry to excess, and she’ll take it out on the girls.

I would tell Jane and Lizzy, but I hate to burden them when they have no control over our situation.

They’re lucky to have the jobs they do have, and they’re helping out all they can.

What’s the point of worrying them any further? ”

Chairs scraped across the floor, and Elizabeth quickly returned to the front office.

She shouldn’t have eavesdropped, and she understood her father did not want to worry them, but goodness!

This state of affairs profoundly affected everyone.

Did they not deserve to know? Surely knowing about impending hardship could not be worse than springing it on them the way he did in Chicago.

She empathized with her father’s distress, but the more she thought about it, the more angry she became.

She, Jane, even their mother—they were adults, yet he did not think them capable of dealing with the truth.

She wondered how much of her mother’s complaints of “nerves” over the years were the result of her father not being honest with his wife?

Elizabeth had no idea things were so dire.What she wouldn’t give for a way out—for all of them! Was there no other way to give her father some relief and ease the strain on her family? Her uncle said something unexpected might turn up. Hopefully, that was not some empty platitude.

Hopefully, Uncle Ed was right.