"'Oh!' said Bertie, with a disapproving look at my pile of books; 'I thought it meant to study a great deal.'
"'You foolish child!' I answered rather sharply; 'there are a great many ways in which people may improve themselves. God gives one kind of work to one, and another kind to another; and the way to please Him, and to improve ourselves, is to do what He gives us with all our might.'
"'And has not God given you any work to do but studying all the time?' asked Bertie.
"'Of course not,' I answered, 'or I should do it. When our parents placed us in this expensive school, they meant us to make the most of our time and the advantages they had given us; so that is our duty both to them and to God.'
"I thought myself very wise and important while making these grand speeches to my little sister, but they did not seem to satisfy her.
"'But don't we have a duty to each other, Margy?' she said.
"'Certainly,' I answered; 'but I would like to know what you would be at. I suppose it is I you mean, when you say people are not nice who study a good deal; and I do not see where I have not done my duty to you. Don't I take all the care of you?'
"'Yes,' said Bertie slowly; 'but, Margy, you never pet me, or tell me stories, or sing to me, as you used to, and I would like it now more than I did then.'
"'So would I like it,' I said, 'but that would be play, not work, and I have not time for such nonsense. You must not think I do not love you just as much; and don't talk any more, I have wasted too much time already.'
"Bertie obeyed and was silent, leaning her head against the window-frame with a sad, weary air, while I turned over the leaves of my Bible in search of a verse I wanted; but I could not fix my attention. Bertie's words had made me feel very uncomfortable, and brought back my mother's last charge to me: 'Margaret, dear, take care of my baby, and do not let her want for any comfort or tenderness that you can give her.'