"Yes, she does live out those hackneyed words, 'Charity begins at home.' We must not forget, love, that while this outside work is most important and useful, it ought never to come before home duties and home happiness."
"I think they feel that," answered Mrs. Arundel. "I have tried to remind them of it from time to time, and Walter and Nellie set such a good example. They are always watchful at home to do the little kindnesses."
Meanwhile the young people were returning in the moonlight. Ada and Arthur, accompanied by Netta and Isabel, were on in front; and Nellie, Christina, and Walter followed slowly.
It was most lovely. The shadows of the branches were as distinct upon the ground as if the branches themselves lay there, and the plash of the waves could be heard plainly when they stood still to listen. The moon shone down upon the water in a flood of silver light, and as they watched, one little vessel with her sails set glided across the track.
The three were silent. Each had different thoughts. One dwelt on the past; another was living in the present; and the third gave a brief glance into the future. When the little ship passed out of the light into the darkness, they turned and went on their way homewards; and if each of those hearts could have expressed the conclusion of its thoughts, all might have been summed up in these words—
"Thy will be done."
For each of these young people, schooled in very different ways, had already learned to value doing God's will above their own. They had been taught to a certain extent that their Father's will was the wisest and the best, and would lead them into much fuller happiness than their own. But they had to learn more yet.
Thus peaceful, happy days passed away. The mornings were mostly taken up with bathing, and amusing the little ones till the service; after which Nellie and Christina made it a rule now to sit down by Mrs. Arundel and Tom with their work. Christina's aunt, Miss Arbuthnot, often joined them; and while the younger ones were digging, and Ada and Arthur were searching among the rocks for sea treasures, Walter would throw himself down at the feet of the ladies, and read to them till it was time to return to dinner at two. In the afternoon, the little ones generally rested; Mrs. Arundel did the same, or wrote letters; and the others took a country walk, sometimes joined by Christina, and sometimes not.
Thus the little party began to be very friendly indeed. In the evenings they would go on the pier, or sit in the orchard; and supper at nine was supposed to finish their day.
But the moon just now was too tempting. Mrs. Arundel would be drawn to the door to look, and then Ada and Arthur would coax her for "just one turn." She would yield to their loving invitation, and with an arm round each, some of their happiest moments were spent.