"I thought I had French and German to study, for instance, because everybody else learned French and German. I did not think there was any use in it."
"You forgot who had given you them to learn."
"No, mamma would have it. Just her notion. Papa didn't care."
"But dear Julia, you forget who has made it your duty to please mamma's notions. And you forget who it is that has given you your place in the world. You might have been born in poverty, with quite other lessons to learn, and quite other work in the world."
"You talk just as queer as if you were Mr. Rhys himself," said Julia. "I never heard of such things. Do you suppose all the girls who are learning French and German at school—all the girls in England—have the same sort of work to do? that they will want it for?"
"No, not all the same. But God never gives the preparation without the occasion."
"Then suppose they do not make the preparation?"
"Then when the occasion comes, they will not be ready for it. When their work is given them to do, they will be found wanting."
"It's so queer!" said Julia.
"What?"