It is strange that though we stand as units before God, the soul's progress can only be definitely marked by its relationship to others. By the way Phebe treated those who came under her influence was one test of her advance.
The only objection Nanna raised to this addition to the family was the fear lest Bessie and Jones should be thrown too much together.
"You must have noticed how she has ceased calling him 'Darling.'"
"They are less likely to come together if they are constantly in each other's society than if they only saw each other occasionally," was all Phebe said.
"I really think," remarked Nanna, "this house ought to be called a hospital for sick souls. First of all, you take this lonely soul in——"
"Why, it was you who took me in," interrupted Phebe.
"All lonely and forlorn," calmly continued Nanna, unheeding the interruption; "then Jones comes along, sore wounded in the battle, and now there's this poor young thing taken in with a broken wing. It's really nothing short of a hospital."
"Well, then," replied Phebe, "we'll call it Love's Hospital."