"It is a great something."
"I dare say you think so. Well, ask it."
"Mamma, I wish you would let me go without that white dress, and do something else with the money!"
"Something else? What?" said Mrs. Laval, with inward amusement.
In answer to which, Matilda poured out the story of Sarah and her wants, and her own wishes respecting them. Mrs. Laval heard her till she had done, and then put both arms around her and kissed her.
"You dear child!" she said. "You would like all the world to be saints; wouldn't you?"
"And so would you, mamma?"
"I am not one myself," said Mrs. Laval.
"But mamma, you would like all the world to be comfortable?"
"Yes, but I cannot reach all the world. I can reach you."