"Is your husband long dead," she asked.
"May God rest his soul! He has been dead these ten years."
"And how long have you been blind?"
"Nearly as long, praise be to God! I took the fever immediately after, and the disease fell into my eyes, and when I recovered I was blind."
"Do you praise God, my good woman, for making you blind?"
"And why not, my lady? Sure 'tis he that knows best what is good for us, and what is most for his own his honor and glory."
"But how can his honor and glory be promoted by your being blind?" asked Mrs. Godfrey, as a dim recollection of Euphrasie crossed her mind.
"Faith, then, and its little we know of such matters, and less that we can tell. But we are sure that God created us himself, and wishes for our love and service; and often when things go well with us we forget him, and love ourselves and our friends so much that we neglect to serve him; then he sends sorrow to recall us to himself, and for this we should bless him."
"But has not God commanded us to love our neighbor?"