“I am certain that she is consumptive, and that Wildwaste is too damp for the poor little thing. I hear that the doctor has said that her only chance is to go to the hospital at Bournemouth.”
“I’ve no faith in doctors,” said Gaspar, applying to his snuff-box.
“If I myself had the means of sending her,” pursued Isa, “I would never trouble you on the subject; but the expenses will be heavy, and my purse is light, and—”
“It will always be light if you go picking up every case that comes before you. You may throw away your money if you choose, but I shall certainly not throw away mine;” and, rising, Gaspar walked to the window, to put an end to the conversation.
The words which she had heard fell like cold vapour upon the heart of Lottie. “My poor dear mistress, though she is a lady, has a light purse; she cannot do what she wishes; she is obliged to beg her brother for money, and he refuses to give it. Ah, there is no use in my asking help from her! She has the will to do good, but not the power; master has the power, but not the will. People say as how he is rich; it don’t look like it, when he’s so angry at the candles being used so fast. I’m sure if I were rich—;” and here the little maid’s thoughts flowed on fast in a channel into which they had often wandered before—how much good she would do if she were rich—how much she wished that she had plenty of money—how strange it was that some should be rolling in wealth, while others had scarcely bread enough to satisfy hunger. There are many through whose minds, as through Lottie’s, such a current of reflection is wont to run; but the little servant-maid suspected that there was danger in giving it free course.
“I do believe that Mr. Eardley would say—could he know of what I am thinking—that I am letting those Midianites, Discontent and Distrust, into my foolish little heart. It do seem as if I was beginning to think everything wrong in God’s world, ’cause I can’t do what I want for father. If I can’t ask Miss Isa to help me, is there not One above whom I can ask, and who has both the power and the will to do me good? I needn’t be hiding nothing from God; He knows all already. He has made poor father give up the drink, and has brought him back to England, and has helped him over his sickness, and now He can set him free from his debt. I must pray very hard, and pray in faith, and pray without fainting, and sure the answer will come at last.”
And so, while she pursued her household labours, as well as when she knelt by her bed-side at night; when the duster or the broom was in her hand, as well as when her Bible lay open before her, the simple-minded Lottie lifted up her heart to her Father in heaven, and found comfort and hope in resting her cares upon Him.
On the evening of the following day, Lottie accompanied her mistress to the meeting at the cottage of Holdich.
