"According to what you say, one must not expect anything from it."
"That is too severe."
"No," said Lois. "What is there to admire or respect in a person who lives only for pleasure?"
"Sometimes there are fine qualities, and brilliant parts, and noble powers."
"Ah, that makes it only worse!" cried Lois. "Fine qualities, and brilliant parts, and noble powers, all used for nothing! That is miserable; and when there is so much to do in the world, too!"
"Of what kind?" asked Mrs. Barclay, curious to know her companion's course of thought.
"O, help."
"What sort of help?"
"Almost all sorts," said Lois. "You must know even better than I. Don't you see a great many people in New York that are in want of some sort of help?"
"Yes; but it is not always easy to give, even where the need is greatest. People's troubles come largely from their follies."