of her money?"

"There might possibly be better; but if it is the best she knows, that
is all she can do. I have a great opinion of doing what our hands find
to do, Miss Redwood; if the Lord gives other work, He will send the
means too."

"There's a frame bedstead lyin' up in the loft," said the housekeeper.
"'Tain't no good to any one, and it only wants a new rope to cord it
up; perhaps the minister would let Sally have that; and it would save
so much."

"By all means, let her have that; and anything else we can spare. Now,
Matilda, you and I will go and attend to our other business."

They went back to the study, where the light was growing soft. Mr.
Richmond drew up the blinds of the west window and let in the glow and
colour from a rich sunset sky. He stood looking at it, with the glow
upon his face; and standing so, spoke--

"What was it, Matilda?"

Matilda on her part sat down in a chair, and with a face of childish
grave meditation, peered into the great bunch of asparagus with which
Miss Redwood had filled the minister's chimney. She sat in shadow all
over, and answered as if taking out the very secret burden of her heart
for her friend's inspection.

"Mr. Richmond, I can't do Band work any more. I can't do anything. I
can't do anything at all. You told us to buy up opportunities; but I
have no opportunities now even to buy."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir," said the child, slowly. "I am quite sure. I cannot do any
work at all. And I would like it so much."

"Wait a bit," said the minister, still looking at the evening glow;
"maybe you are too hasty."

"No, sir. Aunt Candy will not let me go out, and I can see nobody."

"Whose servant are you?"

"I am Christ's servant," said the child, softly.

"Well. Being His servant, do you want to do His will, or your own?"

"Why--I want to do His will," Matilda answered, speaking a little
slowly.

"Isn't it His will just now that you should be without your old
liberty, and unable to do these things you want to do?"

"Yes, sir," Matilda said, rather unwillingly. "I suppose it is."

"Are you willing His will should be done?"

Mr. Richmond had faced round from the window now, and Matilda met his
look, and did not answer for a moment.

"Is it His will, Mr. Richmond, that I should have no opportunity to do
anything?"

"What do you think? If He had chosen to do it, He could have placed you
in the midst of the fullest opportunity. He _has_ placed you under