id the child, coming close, and stealing her hand
into his, "I am very much obliged to you!"

Her friend sat down and drew his arm around her; and Matilda's other
hand on his shoulder, they were both still, thinking, for some little
time.

"Mr. Richmond," Matilda whispered, "I think I am somebody else."

"I hope not, Tilly."

"Everything in the world seems different."

"Very naturally; but you can keep your self yet, I trust. If I thought
not, I should wish the whole thing undone."

"I ought to be better," said Matilda.

"We ought always to be better. Circumstances cannot change that.
_Nothing_ happens that the Lord does not mean shall help us to be
better. And yet, sometimes circumstances seem to make it more
difficult."

"These don't, Mr. Richmond; do they?"

"I don't know, Tilly. They may."

"How?"

"I will not forestall them, Tilly. If you watch, you will soon find
out, whether they do or not."

"Are you afraid I shall be different, Mr. Richmond? _not_ growing
better, I mean."

"I have not seen you tried, except in one way, you know."

"I shall have more opportunities; shall I not, Mr. Richmond?"

"Different opportunities. You have had no lack of them so far, have
you?"

"Of one sort, Mr. Richmond."

"Ah, but remember, my child, we are never without opportunities to do
the Lord's will; plenty of opportunities. What you are thinking of now,
is opportunity to do your own will; isn't it?"

"I was thinking of helping people, and doing things for those who have
no money."

"Yes. And is not that a pleasure?"

"Oh yes, sir."

"When the Lord puts it out of our power to have this pleasure, it shows
that those things are not His will for us just then, eh?"

"Yes, sir."

"What is our opportunity then?"

"I know what you mean, Mr. Richmond. You mean, that then we can be
patient."

"And content."

"_Content?_"

"Yes; if it is God's will. We must be content always to do that."

"But I suppose," said Matilda, "I _shall_, maybe, have more chance to
do those things, Mr. Richmond."

"If so, I hope you will do them. But I want you to be always ready to
do all the will of God. It is easy to pick out a pleasant duty here and
there, or an unpleasant duty even; and stand ready to be faithful in
that. But I want you to watch and be faithful in all things, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

"I will try, Mr. Richmond."

"In every change of circumstances,