"But, my dear Miss Derrick, do you think there is anything contrary to the offices of religion in taking a pleasant drive, in a pleasant country, in pleasant weather? that is all."
Faith smiled a little, gravely; it was very sweet and very grave.
"There are all the other days for that," she said. "God has given us his work to be done on his day, Dr. Harrison; and there is so much of it to do that I never find the day long enough."
"You are right!" he said—"You are quite right. You are a great deal better than I am. I am sorry I asked you,—and yet I am glad.—Then Miss Derrick, will you forgive me? and will you some other day shew that you forgive me and be so good as to go with us?"
But Faith's interest in the subject was gone.
"I am very busy, sir," she said. "I have work to do that I do not wish to put off."
"Cannot you go with us at all? We will wait and make it any day?"
"Do not wait," said Faith. "I could go, but I could not go with pleasure, Dr. Harrison. I have not the time to spare, for that, nor for more now. Please excuse me."
And she went.
"Mrs. Derrick," said the doctor musingly, "this is a winged creature, I believe—but it is not a bird!"