hed, they say, unless I knew papa
was grieved, which always did make me unhappy enough. I laughed, and
went to play most saucily, whatever they did to me. If I had striven for
the temper, it would be worth having, but it is my nature. And Ethel,"
she added, in a low voice, as the tears came into her eyes, "don't you
remember last Sunday? I felt myself so vain and petted a thing! as if I
had no share in the Cup of suffering, and did not deserve to call myself
a member--it seemed ungrateful."

Ethel felt ashamed, as she heard of warmer feelings than her own had
been, expressed in that lowered trembling voice, and she sought for the
answer that would only come to her mind in sense, not at first in words.
"Discipline," said she, "would not that show the willingness to have the
part? Taking the right times for refusing oneself some pleasant thing."

"Would not that be only making up something for oneself?" said Meta.

"No, the Church orders it. It is in the Prayer-book," said Ethel. "I
mean one can do little secret things--not read storybooks on those days,
or keep some tiresome sort of work for them. It is very trumpery, but it
keeps the remembrance, and it is not so much as if one did not heed."

"I'll think," said Meta, sighing. "If only I felt myself at work, not
to please myself, but to be of use. Ha!" she cried, springing up, "I do
believe I see Dr. May coming!"

"Let us run and meet him," said Ethel.

They did so, and he called out his wishes of many happy returns of
blithe days to the little birthday queen, then added, "You both look
grave, though--have they deserted you?"

"No, papa, we have been having a talk," said Ethel. "May I tell him,
Meta? I want to know what he says."

Meta had not bargained for this, but she was very much in earnest, and
there was nothing formidable in Dr. May, so she assented.

"Meta is longing to be at work--she thinks she is of no use," said
Ethel; "she says she never does anything but please herself."

"Pleasing oneself is not the same as trying to please oneself," said Dr.
May kindly.

"And she thinks it cannot be safe or right," added Ethel, "to live that
happy bright life, as if people without care or trouble could not be
living as Christians are meant to live. Is that it, Meta?"

"Yes, I think it is," said Meta. "I seem to be only put here to be made
much of!"

"What did David say, Meta?" returned Dr. May.

"My Shepherd is the living Lord,