"I do choose."
"When you find that you have too much on your small hands, you must pass the heaviest over to me. Remember that I shall always stand ready. And doing these bits of girl-work for girls will make the woman-work plainer by and by. It is taking up the little opportunities as they come, not waiting for a great deed to be shaped to your hand presently."
"I think I must always do little deeds. They seem so much safer to me than the large ones."
"I heard Sarah ask if she might write to you; what did you answer?"
"I said that I should be glad to hear. And I shall want to know how she likes her books. You do not think mamma would object?"
"O no. It is the best and wisest act that you could do for her. There was something so sweet and grateful in her sending you the lichen that I have a good deal of faith in her capabilities. It will be good ground in which to sow seed. Sarah's whole life may be the better for the chance friendship."
"But if she should become refined and—"
"That is looking to the flavor of the fruit, my dear. God means that we shall not see it any faster than it can grow."
She smiled, satisfied.