she would take advice; but I never knew
her do that, except as a civil way of communicating her intentions.
However, she is not quite what she was! Poor dear! Aunt Flora will never
believe what a beautiful creature she used to be! It seems wrong to
think of her going back to that horrid London; but I can't judge. For
my part, I'd rather do work, than no work for George, and he is a good,
kind-hearted fellow after all! I won't be a crab!"

So Ethel did her best, and said the cock had a bright eye--all she could
say for him--and George instructed her to admire the awkward legs, and
invited her to a poultry show, at Whitford, in two days' time--and they
sent him away to continue his consultations with the poultry woman,
which pullets should be preferred as candidates for a prize.

"Meta set him upon this," said Flora. "I hope you will go, Ethel. You
see he can be very happy here."

"Still," said Ethel, "the more I think, the more sure I am that you
ought to ask advice."

"I have asked yours," said Flora, as if it were a great effort. "You
don't know what to say--I shall do what I see to be the only way to
rest."

"I do know what to say," said Ethel; "and that is, do as the Prayer-book
tells you, in any perplexity."

"I am not perplexed," said Flora.

"Don't say so. This is either the station to which God has called you,
or it is not."

"He never called me to it."

"But you don't know whether you ought to leave it. If you ought not, you
would be ten times more miserable. Go to Richard, Flora--he belongs to
you as much as I--he has authority besides."

"Richard!"

"He is the clearest of us all in practical matters," said Ethel,
preventing what she feared would be disparaging. "I don't mean only that
you should ask him about this Parliament matter alone; but I am sure
you would be happier and more settled if you talked things over with him
before--before you go to church."

"You don't know what you propose."

"I do," said Ethel, growing bolder. "You have been going all this time
by feeling. You have never cleared up, and got to the bottom of, your
troubles."

"I could not talk to any one."

"Not to any one but a clergyman. Now, to enter on such a thing is most
averse to your nature; and I do believe that, for that very reason, it
would be what would do you most good. You say you have recovered sense
of--Oh, Flora! I can't talk of what you have gone through; but if you
have only a vague feeling that seems