“Very few of us can see the result of our labors. If you were in the army it would be the same way. A soldier often has to obey orders for which he can see no reason, but his disobedience might cause the loss of a battle. We are all of us part of a great whole striving for the same end. If each one does his part all will be well. If every little girl in the country would do as much as you are doing, the amount of work accomplished would be startling.”
“If I were a boy I could do more,” sighed Jeanne. “It is very hard to be ‘only a girl,’ father.”
Mr. Vance laughed.
“But since you are one, Jeanne, try to be contented. I am very thankful for my daughter if she is ‘only a girl.’”
“You are troubled too,” observed Jeanne presently, noting a look of anxiety on her father’s face.
“Yes, child; I am.”
“Could you tell me about it, father? Perhaps it would help you. I feel ever so much better since I have talked with you.”
“I am afraid that you cannot help me, child. If only Dick were here,” and he sighed.
“Could I if I were a boy?” asked the girl, wistfully.
“Yes,” replied Mr. Vance unthinkingly. “If you were a boy, Jeanne, with the same amount of brightness and common sense that you now have, I would be strongly tempted to send you forth on some private business.”