Australian Tales - Setis

death, let it happen when it may. If you cannot spare so much you may
insure for £100, by paying £2 17s. 1d. a year, which is less than
twopence a day. Did you ever think of making a provision for them in
that way?”
“Never, sir. I joined a benefit club when I was in England, but I have
never thought of anything of the sort since I came here. I have heard tell
of assurance societies, but I don't understand them; and I haven't much
time to bother my head with such things; for when I have done work I'm
generally pretty tired, and don't care to think about things that are
troublesome.”
“I am a stranger to you,” said the gentleman, “but I assure you I have
no other object in offering you advice than your good, ‘and the interest of
your family. Take that little slip of paper home with you, and think over
it to-night, as you will not be tired from hard work to-day. I am sure you
can afford to pay the premium on a life assurance policy; and it will
afford you great comfort to know that your wife and children will not be
left in poverty, as well as sorrow, if it please God to take you from them
suddenly. There are profits of the assurance association or bonus
additions, which you would share in if you became a member, so that the
longer you lived the more valuable your policy would become, if you
chose to allow the bonuses to be added to your policy instead of drawing
them periodically as they are declared. I have not time to explain all that
to you thoroughly, but I advise you to apply at the office of the Mutual
Provident Society, in Pitt Street, or to any other assurance office for
further information. I will only add my strong recommendation to you, to
lose no time in insuring your life, ‘For you know not what a day may
bring forth.’ ” The old gentleman then arose, wished Peter good
afternoon, and went on his way.
After tea that evening, Peter sat down in his armchair, lighted his pipe,
and began to look over the paper which the chatty old gentleman had
given him. His wife was sitting opposite him darning the children's
socks. Presently Peter looked at her seriously and said, “Jenny, do you
think we can save sixpence a day?”
“Sixpence a day!” exclaimed Jenny, opening her eyes and dropping her
needle. “What do you want it for?”
“Never mind, Jenny: can you spare it? that's the question,” said Peter,
with a half-comical, half-serious look.
“No, my dear, I am sure I can't spare it. You have no notion how I have
to cut and contrive, to keep the children tidy, and to get a good dinner for
you every day. I shall want a warm shawl or a cloak for winter; but I
don't know how I can get it without going on trust, and I would rather not
do that if I can possibly help it. I really cannot save sixpence a day, Peter,
and that's the truth.”
“Well then, I can,” said Peter, starting up like a man who had decided