“No. My hands may grow hard and rough with the toil, but my heart will be the same.”
“Brownie Douglas, you are a splendid girl, and I love you a thousand times more at this moment than I ever did in my life before. I am prouder of you as a friend, prouder of you without a penny to-day, than I was yesterday when I thought you worth a million!” exclaimed Miss Huntington, impulsively, as she threw her arms around her friend and embraced her fervently.
This broke Brownie down completely, and she sobbed wildly for a few minutes.
“Dear, Asia,” she said, at length, wiping her tears, “I thought surely, when you were talking about caste and the degradation of toil you were speaking your own thoughts. We have loved each other so well, that the idea of losing your friendship was very painful to me.”
“Forgive me if I for the moment pained you. I have read of people being above such feelings upon the loss of all their earthly goods, but I never believed it, and I was testing you. I truly prize you more in your misfortune than I ever did before. You have taught me a lesson to-day which I shall not soon forget. Your example toward the poor and unfortunate has always troubled my conscience, and henceforth I shall shorten my trains and extend my charities.”
“I am glad to hear you say this, Asia, for you have the means at your command to do great good,” replied Brownie, her face now radiant at this proof of true friendship.
“Well, but I’m afraid the lesson will not be lasting if you do not follow it up with others, and so, my darling, I am going to propose that you go home to stay with me. No, you needn’t refuse,” she continued, putting her hand playfully over Brownie’s lips, “on the score of being dependent, for you know papa has plenty, and would never feel it in the world. He would be delighted, for he has always admired you intensely.”
“Aspasia, I know it will hurt you deeply to have me refuse this kindness, but indeed it cannot be, dear. My mind has been made up from the first to earn my bread ‘by the sweat of my brow,’ and nothing can change it,” Brownie answered, decidedly.
“But if he desires you to come as a companion and a help to me?” urged Aspasia, earnestly.
Brownie laughed aloud at the idea, in spite of her sadness.