“Then you do not relinquish your hopes, and lay down your tools?” he asked, with some eagerness.
“Never! I thought at first that I could not serve two masters, but in trying to be faithful to one I find I am nearer and dearer to the other. My cares and duties are growing lighter every day (or I have learned to bear them better), and when my leisure does come I shall know how to use it, for my head is full of ambitious plans, and I feel that I can do something now.”
All the old enthusiasm shone in her eyes, and a sense of power betrayed itself in voice and gesture as she spoke.
“I believe it,” he said heartily. “You have learned the secret, as that proves.”
Psyche looked at the childish image as he pointed to it, and into her face there came a motherly expression that made it very sweet.
“That little sister was so dear to me I could not fail to make her lovely, for I put my heart into my work. The year has gone, but I don’t regret it, though this is all I have done.”
“You forget your three wishes; I think the year has granted them.”
“What were they?”
“To possess beauty in yourself, the power of seeing it in all things, and the art of reproducing it with truth.”
She colored deeply under the glance which accompanied the threefold compliment, and answered with grateful humility,—