Sentence:  And with the word, the speaker, in the vehemence of her desire to produce proofs of her gentility, would hop up on the block which served for a sort of stand by the side of the fire, and reach down a huge bag of dried apples, which must be "hefted" on the failing knees of the visiter, in proof of the <WSD>forehandedness</WSD> of the friends who could afford to give such evidence of their interest in Mrs. Titmouse. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Wealth, the quality of having sufficient possessions to live comfortably.