g. Suddenly, so it seemed to her, a bright
light had been flashed upon the road she had to travel, and so many things
stood out that she had not seen before, so many hills to climb, so many
pleasant valleys to cross, that for a moment she felt awed and silenced.
It was cheering and bracing to feel that she was needed, that, after all,
there was work for her to do. Lots of work!

"And then there are the boys and Margery. You have many duties to them,
dear. They have no mother, and you are left to take her place, as far as
you can, and make their lives happy, and teach them to be good. Oh, there
is so much for you to do, child. I almost envy you, there is so much."

Bella looked up with shining eyes and a flush on her cheeks.
"Aunt Maggie, I came to-day to ask if you would help me to get a little
place. I felt as if I couldn't go on living at home as it is now.
It is so uncomfortable, and I thought I would like to go out in service.
I know I am very young, but----"

Mrs. Langley was looking at her with a grave face, but very kindly eyes.
"I know how you felt, dear; but it seems to me plain enough that your
place is at home. You see, you're the eldest, and the others are but
little things, and if you want Margery to know anything about her dear
mother, you must teach her, and 'tis you must help to train her up to be
what her mother would have wished her to be."

Bella's bright, eager eyes filled with tears. "I wish mother was here,"
she cried, "it's all so different now, and so miserable!"

"I know, I know; but, child, you must try and remember how it would have
grieved your poor mother, if she could know that her children's home was
unhappy, and then tell yourself that it is going to be your work to make
it different--to make it what she would wish it to be."

Bella's tears gradually ceased. "But how can I begin, and when?" she
asked hopelessly.

"Begin to-day, and with the first chance you see. Be content to begin
with little things in a little way. Don't expect to make great changes,
and set all right at once. You have to take these words as your motto,
'Patience, Pluck, and Perseverance.'"

Bella's face brightened. It cheered her heart to feel that she could do
something, and do, too, what her mother would have had her do. It was
with less reluctance than usual that she got up to go back to her home.

"I often wish, Aunt Maggie," she said affectionately, "that I could live
with you, but it would