"So as you can without failing in your duty to Him."
"Can duties clash?"
"No," said the housekeeper, smiling; "for, as you said, 'the first comes first.'"
"I do not understand," said Dolly. "It is my duty to obey His word; and His word says, obey them."
"Only not when their command or wish goes against His."
"Well, how would this?" said Dolly. "Suppose they wish me to marry somebody, and my doing so would be very good for them? The Bible says, 'Love seeks not her own.'"
"Most true," said the housekeeper, watching the tears that suddenly stood in Dolly's bright eyes. "But it says some other things."
"What, Mrs. Jersey? Do make it clear to me if you can. I am all in a muddle."
"My dear, I am not a very good hand to explain what I mean. But do you not think you owe it both to yourself and to God, not to do what would blast your life? you cannot serve Him so well with a blasted life."
"It seems to me," said Dolly, speaking slowly, "I have a right to give up my own happiness. I do not see the wrong of it."