meeting, she had heard that there was often a great deal of
gossip going on at such places. The visitor was determined not to be
offended, and she replied, gently, that there was no chance of gossip,
for, after a certain time had been given to the actual business of the
meeting, such as planning, cutting out, and apportioning work, one of
the ladies read, whilst the rest sewed. "But," she added, "if you are
willing to help us a little, and object to joining the meeting at the
room, perhaps you would let me bring you something to be made at home.
There is always work for every willing hand."

Then Mrs. Crook drew herself up and said she did not feel inclined to
take in sewing. She had her own to do, and did it without requiring
assistance, and she thought it was better to teach the lower classes
to depend upon themselves than to go about pampering poor people and
encouraging idleness, as many persons were so fond of doing
now-a-days. No doubt they thought they were doing good, but, for her
part, she believed that in many cases they did harm.

The visitor could have told tales of worn-out toilers, laboring almost
night and day to win bread for their children, but unable to find
either material for a garment or time to make it. She could have
pleaded for the widow and the orphan, if there had seemed any feelings
to touch, any heart to stir. But Mrs. Crook's hard words and looks
repelled her, and she went her way, after a mere "Good-morning. I am
sorry you cannot see your way to help us."

No chance of widows weeping for the loss of Mrs. Crook, or telling of
her almsdeeds and good works, or showing the coats and garments made
for them by her active fingers!

It was the same when some adventurous collector called upon Mrs. Crook
to solicit a subscription. She had always something to say against the
object for which money was asked. If it were for the sufferers by an
accident in a coal mine or for the unemployed at a time of trade
depression:

"Why don't they insure their lives like their betters? Why don't they
save something, when they are getting good wages? I am not going to
encourage the thriftless, or help those who might help themselves, if
they would think beforehand."

At length every one gave up trying to enlist her services, or to
obtain contributions from her, for the support of any good cause. And
Mrs. Crook bestowed all her thoughts, her affections, her time and her
means, on the only person she thought