a. "Norman," and
her dark eyes were steadfastly fixed, "I always resolved that, with
God's help, I would not be a stumbling-block in the way of your call
to your work. I will not. Go out now--perhaps you will be freer for it
without me, and I suppose I have a longer apprenticeship to serve to all
sorts of things before I come to help you."

"Oh, Meta, you are a rebuke to me!"

"What? when I am going to stay by my own fireside?" said Meta, trying
to laugh, but not very successfully. "Seriously, I have much to do here.
When poor Flora gets well, she must be spared all exertion for a long
time to come; and I flatter myself that they want me at Stoneborough
sometimes. If your father can bear to spare you, there is no doubt that
you ought to go."

"My father is as unselfish as you are, Meta. But I cannot speak to
him until he is more easy about Flora. We always think the required
sacrifice the hardest, but I must own that I could not grieve if he laid
his commands on me to wait till the autumn."

"Oh, that would make it a duty and all easy," said Meta, smiling; "but
I don't think he will; and Aunt Flora will be only too glad to carry you
out without encumbrance."

"Has not Aunt Flora come to her senses about you?"

"I believe she would rather I belonged to any of her nephews but
you. She is such a dear, sincere, kind-hearted person, and we are so
comfortable together, that it will be quite like home to come out to
her! I mean there, to convince her that I can be of something like use."

Meta talked so as to brighten and invigorate Norman when they were
together, but they both grew low-spirited when apart. The humming-bird
had hardly ever been so downcast as at present--that is, whenever she
was not engaged in waiting on her brother, or in cheering up Dr. May, or
in any of the many gentle offices that she was ever fulfilling. She was
greatly disappointed, and full of fears for Norman, and dread of the
separation, but she would not give way; and only now and then, when off
her guard, would the sadness reign on her face without an effort. Alone,
she fought and prayed for resignation for herself, and protection and
strength for him, and chid herself for the foolish feeling that he would
be safer with her.

She told Aunt Flora how it was one evening, as they sat over the fire
together, speaking with a would-be tone of congratulation.

"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Arnott. "But that is a great pity!"

Meta looked quite brig