"Will you help her to mind her mother's prayer, and keep herself unspotted from the world?"
"As I trust she will help me."
A rogue may answer questions, but an eye that has never known the shadow of double-dealing makes no doubtful discoveries of itself. Mrs. Plumfield read it, and gave it her very thorough respect.
"Mr. Carleton pardon me, Sir I do not doubt you but I remember hearing long ago that you were rich and great in the world it is dangerous for a Christian to be so can she keep in your grandeur the simplicity of heart and life she has had at Queechy?"
"May I remind you of your own words, my dear madam? By the blessing of God all things are possible. These things you speak of are not in themselves evil; if the mind be set on somewhat else, they are little beside a larger storehouse of material to work with an increased stewardship to account for."
"She has been taking care of others all her life," said aunt Miriam, tenderly; "it is time she was taken care of: and these feet are very unfit for rough paths; but I would rather she should go on struggling, as she has done, with difficulties, and live and die in poverty, than that the lustre of her heavenly inheritance should be tarnished even a little. I would, my darling."
"But the alternative is not so," said Mr. Carleton, with gentle grace, touching Fleda's hand, who he saw was a good deal disturbed. "Do not make her afraid of me, Mrs. Plumfield."
"I do not believe I need," said aunt Miriam, "and I am sure I could not but, Sir, you will forgive me?"
"No, Madam that is not possible."
"One cannot stand where I do," said the old lady, "without learning a little the comparative value of things; and I seek my child's good that is my excuse. I could not be satisfied to take her testimony."