The first time she met her alone, she made the inquiry.
“I have, indeed, ma’am, a motive,” said Catherine; “I would give all my wages, could I but learn as you do.”
“But of what use, Catherine, would learning be to you? You can read your Bible; and it will shew you all that is necessary for you to know. Your duty as a servant, and the way to heaven, the place where we all hope to meet, when we have done with this world, and its cares.”
“Ah, ma’am, I am not satisfied even with knowing this, though it is all that a servant should know.”
“I do not understand you, Catherine. Tell me why you wish to gain other knowledge?”
“Because, ma’am, I am most wishful to be useful to my parents. They are poor, and have a large family to bring up. If I could but open a little school in our village, what a blessing should I be to them!”
“Well, Catherine,” said Miss Arden, after considering a little, “I will do what I can for you—I mean if Miss Damer approves; for I dare not trust to my own judgment. Meet me in the school-room early to-morrow morning, and I well tell you how it is to be.”
When the friends met in the play-ground, they talked the subject over.
“There cannot, I think, be any thing wrong in doing good to a fellow-creature,” said Miss Damer, “therefore I think we may venture; but we must rise an hour earlier than usual.”
Catherine was delighted when she heard the result of their conference; and, with many expressions of thankfulness, promised to leave a lamp at their door.