her."

"I expect He plans many an opportunity for us to serve our generation,
but we are too selfishly indolent to do the work he puts in our way."

"When I came to Oaklands at first it seemed as if my life was completed,
and I wondered how I was to occupy the days, and years stretching out so
long before me. Now I believe I could find work to occupy me for a
thousand years; that is, if Mr. Winthrop lived too, and continued to help
me with my reading and studies," I added, thinking how much the latter
employment added to my enjoyment.

"If Mr. Bowen gets his eyesight, that will be a greatly added source of
satisfaction to you," she said, wistfully.

"Yes, I shall seem to be looking at the green fields, and flowers, and
starry skies through his eyes."

"You are as glad to have him so richly benefited through your means, as
if he were rich and famous."

"Why, much more so. Think what a change there will be in his
circumstances now."

"Medoline, I think your mother's prayers will be answered."

I turned around eagerly, "Was she a real Christian, Mrs. Flaxman?"

"Yes, a real one, especially after her children were born. Her great
desire for them was that they might all be pure and unspotted from the
world. All of them, save you, are with her in Heaven. You may have a life
of peculiar temptation, but I believe you will be brought out of it among
the pure in heart at last."

"Why should my life have peculiar temptations, Mrs. Flaxman?" I asked
anxiously.

"I cannot explain to you now my reasons for thinking so. Some day I may
tell you."

"I suppose it is because I am not like other girls of my age," I said
with a sigh.

"No dear, that is not the reason. I should not have spoken so
unguardedly."

"I might try to overcome the temptations if I were warned of their
nature."

"You are a persevering child, Medoline--but still only a child in heart."

"I am over eighteen, Mrs. Flaxman. I wonder why you and Mr. Winthrop
persist in making me out a child. When will I be a woman?"

"Not till your heart gets wakened."

"I wonder when that will be. Does it mean love and marriage, Mrs.
Flaxman?"

"It means the former; the latter may not follow with you."

"Why not? But there, I do not want to leave you and Mr. Winthrop and
Oaklands. No man could tempt me from you. But what did you mean by saying
that I might love and yet not marry?"

"Because you are too true to your woman's instincts to marry any one
unless it