er. But the saddest
of the autumn days had not come. Here and there lay bare, grey fields
and stubble land, with a dreary wintry look; but the low pastures were
green yet, and the gaudy autumn flowers lingered untouched along the
fences and waysides.

It was a very lovely afternoon, and sending on the children, who were
inclined to lag, Effie lingered behind to enjoy it. Her life was a very
busy one. Except an occasional hour stolen from sleep, she had very
little time she could call her own. Even now, her enjoyment of the
fresh air and the fair scene was marred by a vague feeling that she
ought to hasten home to the numberless duties awaiting her.

These years had told on Effie. She was hopeful and trustful still, but
it was not quite so easy as it used to be to throw off her burden, and
forget, in the enjoyment of present pleasure, past weariness and fears
for the future. No burden she had yet been called to bear had bowed her
down; and though she looked into the future with the certainty that
these would grow heavier rather than lighter, the knowledge had no power
to appal her. She was strong and cheerful, and contented with her lot.

But burdens borne cheerfully may still press heavily; and quite
unconsciously to herself, Effie wore on her fair face some tokens of her
labours and her cares. The gravity that used to settle on it during the
anxious consideration of ways and means was habitual now. It passed
away when she spoke or smiled, but when her face settled to repose
again, the grave look was on it still, and lay there like a shadow, as
she passed along the solitary road that afternoon. Her thoughts were
not sad--at least, they were not at first sad. She had been considering
various possibilities as to winter garments, and did not see her way
quite clear to the end of her labours. But she had often been in that
predicament before. There was nothing in it then to make her look
particularly grave. She had become accustomed to more perplexing
straits than little Will's jacket could possibly bring to her, and she
soon put all thoughts of such cares away from her, saying to herself
that she would not let the pleasure of her walk be spoiled by them.

So she sent her glance over the bare fields and changing woods and up
into the clear sky, with a sense of release and enjoyment which only
they can feel who have been kept close all day and for many days at a
task which, though not uncongenial, is yet ex