knowledge that I do not desire more," hesaid.
"Yes, I know. I am very well, thank you."
"You were not very well when I brought you here."
"No. I was well in body."
"You are better?"
"Yes."
"If it were not impertinent, I would like to ask more."
"It is not impertinent. You may ask."
"In pursuit of my old psychological study, you know. What hashappened in this poor little place, by this poor creature'sbedside, to do any good to Daisy Randolph?"
Now it was not according to my nature to like to tell him. Butwhat had I just been asking, but that I might carry messages?So I spoke, slowly.
"This poor creature is just going to step out of this poorplace, into glory. The light of that glory is shining aroundher now, for she said so. You heard her."
"Yes," said the doctor. "Well?"
"Well, Dr. Sandford, it reminded me how near the glory is, andhow little this world's things are in face of it. I haveremembered that I am a servant of the King of that land, andan heir of the glory; and that He loves me now, and has givenme work to do for Him, and when the work is done will take mehome. And I am content."
"What 'work' are you going to do?" the doctor asked, rathergrowlingly.
"I do not know. What He gives me."
And even as I spoke, there was a rush of tears to my eyes,with the thought that I must do my work alone; but I wascontent, nevertheless. Dr. Sandford was not. His fingersworked restlessly among the thick locks of his hair; as if hewere busy with a thicket of thoughts as well; but he saidnothing more.
Towards morning Molly passed away from the scene of her verylonely and loveless life journey. I went to the door again, intime to see the rays of the morning brightening the blue ridgewhich lay clear and cool over against me.
What light for Molly now! And what new light for me.
I drove home through that new light, outward and inward. Icould and did give mamma some pleasure at breakfast; and thenslept a quiet, dreamless sleep, to make up for my loss of thenight before.
I have got through my story now, I think. In Molly's cottage,life started anew for me, on a new basis. Not my own specialgratification, but my Lord's will. And I seeking that, Hetakes care of the other. I find it so. And He has promisedthat everybody shall find it so. My only care is to do exactlythe work He means I shall do. It is not so easy always to findout and make sure of that. I would like, if I followed myliking, I would like to go South and teach in the Freedmen'sschools somewhere. But that is not my work now, for mammaclaims me here.
We are at Melbourne again. As soon as the last tenant's termof possession was expired, Dr. Sandford had the house put inorder for us, and mamma and I moved in. There is a sort ofpleasure, in being here, in the old place; but it is a mingledpleasure. I think all places are pleasant to me now. Mammareigns here queen, as of old; - for Ransom will not comeNorth, and leaves all in her hand. All the enjoyment, that is.Dr. Sandford manages the business. I do not know how long thiswill last; for Ransom may marry, and in that case he may wishto live in the place himself, and mamma and I would have togo; but that day is not yet; and the blue mountains across theriver, and the slopes of green turf, and the clumps and grovesof trees which stand about the house and adorn the grounds,are all in even greater beauty than when I was ten years old;and I enjoy them even more.
Dr. Sandford takes care of everything that mamma cannotmanage. I know why he does it; and I am sorry. He is like agood brother to me, and I am very fond of him; he is comingand going in our house continually; he furthers my plans, andministers to all my pleasure, and looks after my well-being,somewhat as he did when I was ten years old; only with muchmore of freedom and acknowledged affection and authority. Ithink he fancies that time will befriend him and bring me tolook upon him in a light more kindly for his wishes. He ismistaken. People may love truly and love again, I suppose; Ihave no doubt men may; but I think not women. Not true women,when they have once thoroughly given their hearts. I do notthink they can take them back to give again. And mine is Mr.Thorold's.
My writing all this has been a great comfort to me and done megood. Have I accomplished what I said at the beginning I wouldtry to do, - follow out the present truth of my life to thepossible glory? Surely I have found it. Through sorrow andjoy, through gain and loss, yes, and I suppose by means ofthese, I have come to know that all joy, even fulness of joy,is summed up in being wholly the Lord's child. To do His will,and to be filled with the happiness that He can give and Healone, that is enough for anybody. It is enough for me.
THE END.
Note by the transcriber :DAISY IN THE FIELD is the continuation of MELBOURNE HOUSEand DAISY.
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