"It will do you no harm to indulge in your favourite pursuit, if you do it in moderation," said her mother, smiling. "Only you must not let it interfere with more important occupations. I do not think it improbable that some day your desire will be fulfilled, and that you will find yourself a recognised authoress."
"Oh! Do you?" And Dora's face grew rosy red, and her eyes glistened through the tears that had gathered in them.
"You know the old precept and promise, 'Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.' Be content that God shall direct your life and guide your steps. Then, if this desire of yours should be good for you, He will accomplish it; if not, you will still be able to say, 'It is well.' But leave all that for the future, dear child. You will be doing as true work for God now in teaching your little brothers and sisters, and helping me in my household duties, as ever you would be as a famous writer. Yet, my Dora, your power of imagination, and your love of literature, and that appreciation of loveliness in nature and art with which God has gifted you, are responsibilities not to be lightly considered."
"How do you mean, mother?" asked Dora, wonderingly.
"This, dear, that where much is given, much will be required. You often have beautiful thoughts; you are quick to recognise the deeper, hidden meanings which the lessons of nature, and of our own lives, teach us. I heard what you said to Lancie about the coat of self-sacrifice, and was struck by the truth of your remarks and the insight they displayed. In proportion to the light that has been given you, my child, so will you be expected to mould your life."
"Oh, mother, how solemn and serious a thing you make of it all!"
"Life is solemn and serious, but remember you have only to live one day, nay, one hour at a time. Do the duty which that hour brings with a whole heart and singleness of purpose, and you need not fear for the rest." Then changing her voice, Mrs. Grainger continued,—
"I am glad you have put down on paper what you intend doing. There is nothing like having fixed and settled rules, and I think you know you are naturally wanting in order and system. At the same time, I am sure it would be better if I were in the schoolroom in the afternoon. The children do nothing then except read and prepare their lessons for the next day, and so it does not matter if I leave them for a little while every now and again. I must own it has always troubled me that I was so constantly going from the room in the morning to attend to household duties. They will certainly be the gainers if you become their teacher, for with me they were often alone for an hour together."
"Oh, please give them up to me entirely," said Dora, pleadingly. "I don't want to do a little to help you; I want to do a great deal."
"Very well, dear," replied her mother, "you shall make the trial, and until you say you cannot get through all your duties properly, I shall not interfere with you. But you must not feel ashamed to tell me that you have set yourself too hard a task."