And Guy reluctantly carried this new perplexity to his mother, for as she had already earned money by the exercise of her talent, she must in some way have faced and overcome the same difficulty.
"I am not prepared to assert that the world is any better for a multitude of the things that are nevertheless lawfully done in it," said Mrs. Falconer; "it may perhaps be pleasanter for many a pursuit which rises no higher than man's own gratification, and in moderation such may be enjoyed; we are to 'use the world as not abusing it.' If any lover of art can afford, without neglecting higher claims, to adorn his house with a pictured record of the loveliness of scenes which have charmed his sight, and of which he desires to preserve the memory, he is not doing wrong; and if he cannot paint, he can purchase."
"Very well, dear mother, this brings us to the point. A man's house can do without such adornment, though it may not look so elegant, and the responsibility falls upon those who possess the power to supply that deficiency."
"Who bestows that power? Where does it come from?" asked Mrs. Falconer.
"'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,'—is that an answer?" said Guy.
"Yes, dear boy, it is the answer. And if we recognise the Giver, and the proper end of all His gifts, we are solemnly responsible for the use we make of them."
"Then you don't think there is anything wrong or trifling or inconsistent in trying to be a clever artist, mother?"
"Certainly not, if one feels that it is an endowment of one's nature, and circumstances in God's providence admit of its cultivation; but it is very foolish, and useless also, for anyone to insist upon selecting such a study if he possess no natural qualifications for it. There are certain things that no amount of effort will ever attain; they belong to the individual, are his by nature, and make what man calls genius."
"Do you mean when one's mind and thoughts and hopes and chosen work run in any special channel, and one wishes to press everything into its service, that one may be said to have a genius for it?" said Guy, with a flush on his cheek, and a new light dancing in his eyes.
"I think it would not be wrong to conclude so; and in the useful occupations of life, it is often a great satisfaction to see men's delight in their chosen pursuits. What should we do if none of our youths loved the sea, and seemed made on purpose to brave its dangers, and enjoy its wonders? What mercies to mankind have resulted from the physician's skill; but what drudgeries to undergo, what disagreeables to encounter, what researches to pursue, before he can hope to attain any eminence; and if he does at last attain it, his love and enthusiasm for his profession have borne him over hindrances and difficulties before which an indifferent student would have quailed in disgust or settled down in mediocrity."