I never had good luck with bread myself either . '' `` That is Mrs. Porter 's great grievance too . It is no light task to bake bread for all those boarders . Have you made your jelly yet ? '' `` No . Maria can not make it , she says , and I detest messing with jelly . But I really must see to it soon . '' At this point a saleswoman came up to Lilian , who made her small purchases and went out . `` There goes Lilian Mitchell , '' said Mrs. Reeves in an undertone . `` She looks very pale . They say they are dreadfully poor since Henry Mitchell died . His affairs were in a bad condition , I am told . '' `` I am sorry for Mrs. Mitchell , '' responded Mrs. Saunders . `` She is such a sweet woman . Lilian will have to do something , I suppose , and there is so little chance for a girl here . '' Lilian , walking down the street , was wearily turning over in her mind the problems of her young existence . Her father had died the preceding spring . He had been a supposedly prosperous merchant ; the Mitchells had always lived well , and Lilian was a petted and only child . Then came the shock of Henry Mitchell 's sudden death and of financial ruin . His affairs were found to be hopelessly involved ; when all the debts were paid there was left only the merest pittance -- barely enough for house-rent -- for Lilian and her mother to live upon .
They had moved into a tiny cottage XXXXX an unfashionable locality , and during the summer Lilian had tried hard to think of something to do .
At Reeves boarders for in of pittance since to with