I had lived by Providence before, when for a
long time I had no money at all, and I had always found the Lord a
good provider. I made no doubt, therefore, that He who sent the
ravens to feed Elijah, and who clothes the lilies, would find some
means to sustain me with needful food and raiment; and I had learned
by experience the truth of that saying, Natura paucis contenta--i.e.
Nature is content with few things, or a little.
Although the sight and smell of hot food was sufficiently enticing
to my empty stomach, for I had eaten little that morning and was
hungry, yet, considering the terms of the invitation, I questioned
whether I was included in it; and after some reasonings at length
concluded that, while I had tenpence in my pocket, I should be but
an injurious intruder to that mess, which was provided for such as
perhaps had not twopence in theirs.
Being come to this resolution, I withdrew as far from the table as I
could, and sat down in a quiet retirement of mind till the repast
was over, which was not long; for there were hands enough at it to
make light work of it.
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