“What are you considering, Penny?” asked Mrs Hawthorne at last.
“I think,” said Penny very deliberately, “that as there’s so little in the charity-box I should like to work for Mrs Dicks’ children.”
Mrs Hawthorne knew what an effort this resolve had cost her little daughter.
“Well, dear Penny,” she answered, “if you do that I think you will be giving her a more valuable gift than the charity-box full of money.”
“Why?” said Penny.
“Because you will give her what costs you most. It is quite easy to put your hand in your box and take out some money; but now, besides the things you make for her, you will have to give her your patience and your perseverance, and also part of the time you generally spend on your beloved books.”
“So I shall!” sighed Penny.
But she kept her resolve and did work for Mrs Dicks. Very unpleasant she found it at first, particularly when there was some interesting new story waiting to be read.
Gradually, however, there came a time when it did not seem quite so disagreeable and difficult, and she even began to feel a little pride in a neat row of stitches.
The day on which she finished a set of tiny shirts for the baby Dicks was one of triumph to herself, and of congratulation from the whole household; Mrs Dicks herself was almost speechless with admiration at Miss Penny’s needlework; indeed the finest embroideries, produced by the most skilful hand, could not have been more praised and appreciated.