“He is all I have got.”
“You said that to me before, but that is not so. He isn’t all you’ve got by many.”
“He is the only one who has needed me ever. When he is gone, there will not be one left in the world who might not do without me as well as not, though perhaps there are one or two who might not think so for a little while.”
“Well, that may be said of most folks, I guess, but of you with less truth than of most.”
Elizabeth made a movement of dissent.
“You are young enough to make friends, and it is easy for you to make them. I don’t believe anybody ever saw your face who didn’t want to see it again. You want to do good in the world, and you have the means and the natural gifts for doing it, and that is happiness.”
Elizabeth raised herself up and looked at her in amazement.
“How you talk, Cousin Betsey!” said she.
“Well, that’s the way I feel about it. No matter what trouble you may be going through now, there is the other side, and when you get there you’ll find good work to do, because you have the heart to do it. And you’ll get your wages—rest, and a quiet mind.”
Elizabeth’s eyes were on the red embers again, but the expression of her face had changed a little. Betsey moved so that her own face would be in the shadow, and then she went on: