t your own pleasure or advancement; not as using your own
things. Correlatively, for the Lord; for His pleasure, for His service,
as belonging to Him."

"'In word or deed,'" said Matilda. "That means giving and everything."

"But then, in religion one would never be free," said Norton.

"How, never be free?"

"Why, one must act as if one never be longed to one's self."

"We don't," said Mr. Richmond. "We are _not_ our own; we are bought
with a price. And we never were free till now."

"But, if I go to buy a coat----" said Norton; and he stopped.

"Yes, if you go to buy a coat, you will remember that you and the coat
are the Lord's together; and you will buy that coat which you think is
the one He would like you to wear, and in which you can best work for
Him; and not use His money for any other."

Norton was silent, not because he had no thoughts to speak. Matilda was
silent, but with a very different face. It was serious, sweet,
meditative, and content.

"I see how it is, Mr. Richmond," she said, at last, looking up to his
face. "Thank you, sir."

"It is very nice to have people apply sermons for themselves, Matilda,"
said the minister.

CHAPTER XII.

Miss Redwood did not come back the next morning to get breakfast. No
sign of her. Mr. Richmond and Matilda managed it, between them. Norton,
I am afraid, was not up till Matilda called him, and that was when the
coffee was nearly ready.

Matilda learned how to get breakfast at the parsonage, and Norton
learned to be up and help her; for they made a long stay at the old
brown house. Mrs. Laval's Swiss servants were all down with ship fever;
and the two children were forbidden to come even near the house. Mrs.
Laval herself staid at home and did what she could for the sufferers;
but she and Miss Redwood kept house alone together. Not a servant would
be hired to come within reach of the dreadful contagion; and not a
friend thought it was any use to go there just then to see anybody.
Mrs. Laval and Miss Redwood had it all to themselves, with no one to
look at besides but Mr. Richmond and the doctor. Mr. Richmond came to
them constantly.

The flow of human sympathy went all to the house with the brown door.
It was remarkable how many friends were eager to know how the children
got on; and how many more were anxious to be allowed to come in to help
Matilda.

"What shall I do, Mr. Richmond?" she would say. "There have been three
this morning."

"Who