“I knew she would do well; and I must not be discouraged, though she has not yet caught the spirit of the place. She has been so intent on her work, that she has given herself no time to think of higher things. But His time will come. ‘One thing have I desired of the Lord’ for my darling, and He will grant it, that I know, whether I shall see it in this world, or wait till we meet in the next, where her mother and mine await us both.”
She closed her eyes, and sat motionless till the sound of wheels reached her ears.
“The doctor! I will not go down with him, and I hope he will be willing to wait till Fidelia goes before he speaks. I will go out to the gate, and he may not come in to-day.”
She rose and stood waiting for him at the gate.
“Well, Miss Eunice, what do you think about going down with me? Do you feel like it?”
Eunice smiled, and shook her head.
“I think not, doctor. My bread is not all baked yet.”
“What is this I hear about the garden? Are you going to let Jabez have it, as he wishes it so much?”
“Hadn’t I better, doctor? Without Fidelia it would be too much for me, I am afraid. I could work in it a little for exercise, even if Jabez had it.”
“Yes, I see. I should not wonder,” said the doctor; but his eyes were turned to the clouds that hung over the distant mountains, and he was thinking not at all of Jabez and the garden. His face was very grave.