WHICH SHALL PROSPER?
Mr. Somers had come home from his six weeks' holiday, and was talking over the village news with Miss Manners.
She told him of little Edwin Smithers's death, of the summons to Jessie Hollis, and of the visit of Mrs. Cuthbert.
"Of course it is wrong to judge," she said, "but do you remember that Lenten sermon, and the impression I told you it made?"
"I remember well. It was on the seed, and on bringing forth fruit."
"Well, when we had the Parable of the Sower the other day, I could not help thinking how it had worked out. There were some, like that Cray girl, who never seemed to take it in at all, but left it as something outside of them. Then three distinctly were moved to undertake something, the two Hollises and Amy Lee. Well, Grace dropped her missionary needlework as soon as that wedding order come in her way——"
"Don't be hard on her, Dora."
"No; but I'm afraid I can't help seeing that she does not seem to keep up her Sunday ways as she used. Then there's a sharp, worn, fretted way. I am very much afraid she is getting choked with the thorns."
"I don't know Miss Hollis well," he said, thoughtfully, "but I am afraid she does not look much beyond her shop."
"And my poor little Amy Lee responding so readily—seeming all that could be wished, and then showing herself so little able to stand temptation from that silly girl."