"We have reaped a rich reward for bearing in mind the fatherless and the widow, Roger," said Mistress Hazelwood, with tears gathering in the loving eyes that were raised to his.
"True, my wife. And you mean that we should continue to care for them, if they will allow us; that is settled: Guy's future is my charge, and whatever he and his friends wish shall, God willing, be done, and I know I may leave his good mother in your hands. Maude will of course share in every way with our Evelyn. But this seems too much bound up with our own comfort and satisfaction, like the soup and petticoats and blankets that we could not be contented without giving to our poor sick or old neighbours in the winter,—just a natural, right thing, you know. Is there not something that we could do outside of duty, as it were? Not that I could be anything but an 'unprofitable servant,' after all; but you know what I mean, Dolly, I'm sure."
Yes, Dolly knew very well: he wanted to do something for the glory of God simply and solely; something that would not be in itself a great gratification to himself personally,—some "threshing-floor" that might cost a price, and be thus an "offering."
"I have a thought, Roger, but it would be rather an expensive one; not too much for the occasion, but perhaps exceed your means."
"Out with it, Dolly; you are not wont to be extravagant." said he, smiling.
"The Church wants a little repair, Roger; perhaps that should come first."
"The Church! Yes, I have been talking with Mr. Herbert about it, and it must be made safe and comfortable, but this mere duty still. You don't want me to ornament and decorate it to show piety, do you, Dolly?"
"No, indeed, nothing of that kind, Roger. I would have it thoroughly respectable as a place where Christian people meet to worship God should be, when means permit, but nothing that could divide a thought with Him, or attract attention from Him who has promised to be in the midst of them that meet together in His name, to bless them."
"Right, my dear. No blowing of the wind in the direction of the pomps and vanities that once disgraced our churches. Once cleansed, let us keep so. What, then, is this expensive thought of yours?"
"You know the village of Pine-wood End, and two miles beyond it, of Brook End?"