“A dream! a dream, my dear! I cannot leave my flock without a shepherd.”
“And you shall not, dear Dr. Shaw. Hear me, dear pastor. I am the stewardess of more wealth than I know how to manage. I need your wisdom to direct and assist me in its distribution. For that reason I begged your company here this morning,” Roma said.
“What is your idea, my child?”
“Well, my dear pastor, my second and well beloved father, I hope you will not be offended with your child, for, first of all, I wish to employ an assistant to relieve you of some of the arduous work of the parish,” Roma said, almost timidly, for there were some occasions—like this, for instance—when our regal Amazon was timid. She was fearful of seeming to patronize the venerable man who had all her reverence and affection.
He understood her.
“Your thought is kind, my child, and I thank you. Have you any special person in view?” he inquired.
“No, no one whatever. I wish you to find some proper man, and employ him in your own name.”
“I will think it over, my child. Yes, such an assistant would be a very great relief to me, at my age, though that circumstance, perhaps, ought not to be considered in the question.”
“I do not see why it should not be. I think it is the first and most important circumstance to be considered in the question,” Roma answered warmly.
“Oh, yes, my child. I know you think so, and that is just where your human affections and partialities come into the way to obscure your clear view of duty and responsibility. Now, let me ask you—is there not some other way, in fact, are there not many other ways, in which your means could be employed with better advantage to the poor and suffering of this world?”