overcome by resistance. If we all felt other's burdens more, we should feel our own less. "Well, my child," resumed her mother, "go on where you are—get and do all the good you can, and always remember we are sent into the field to be sowers as well as reapers. If anything serious occurs, let me know it. I would not have you submit to anything that should impair your self-respect, or ever forget that you can only forfeit your independence by misconduct." Their conversation was broken off by the return of the girls from Sunday-school. Overjoyed they were to find Lucy, and not a little pleased that they had brought from their teacher extraordinary commendations of their well-learned lessons. "I wonder, mother," said Lucy, "what Mrs. Ardley would say to your finding time to see to the girls lessons, when, with six of us to do her work, I heard her say to a lady 'she did not know what her children were studying—she had not time!' Only think, mother!"
"There are many occupations that fritter away the time of the rich, which those who must be devoted to necessary labour know nothing about. It is difficult for them to bring anything to pass."
"But, mother, could not they if they had a mind to?" asked little Martha.
"Certainly, my child; and those do who try hard. But, my children, don't trouble yourselves about what others do or do not do—our consciences are given us to watch over our own conduct, not other people's. Come, girls, set the table. Our dinner is done."
"Dinner! mother! Are we to have a real dinner?"
