"Then apparently one's prime efforts ought to be directed to one's self."
"One's first efforts, certainly Your silent example was the first thing that moved me."
"Silent example!" said Fleda, catching her breath a little. "Mine ought to be very good, for I can never do good in any other way."
"You used to talk pretty freely to me."
"It wasn't my fault, I am certain," said Fleda, half laughing. "Besides, I was sure of my ground. But, in general, I never can speak to people about what will do them any good."
"Yet, whatever be the power of silent example, there are often times when a word is of incalculable importance."
"I know it," said Fleda, earnestly; "I have felt it very often, and grieved that I could not say it, even at the very moment when I knew it was wanting."
"Is that right, Elfie?"
"No," said Fleda, with quick watering eyes; "it is not right at all; but it is constitutional with me. I never can talk to other people of what concerns my own thoughts and feelings."
"But this concerns other people's thoughts and feelings."