R. Tell her why you go; she would never be against it. You might be quite safe from interruption, if you went while your sisters are at school. But Ellen, for one, would never interrupt you, I am sure. That little room you sleep in, with the window looking out into the garden, and the hedge-row beyond, I used to sleep in. How well I remember the spare minutes I used to enjoy there! I can fancy I hear now the sound of the thrush from the high tree in the hedge, and the smell of the lilac under the window, and the hum of bees in the old elder-tree by the dairy. It was cheerful to hear the busy sounds from the farm-yard beyond, and the field on the other side. If I had much needlework in hand, I took it up there, and repeated the hymns and passages of Scripture I had learnt; and when I went up at night, the good things and good thoughts seemed to come back fresh to me.

A. But it was not always pleasant; it might be cold and dull sometimes.

R. Yes, in bad weather, or when I felt dull myself, of course it was different. But I tried to do it all the same; for there is no effort in doing one's duty when it is pleasant to us at the time; and effort is useful to us, and shews that we are in earnest. If I missed doing these things, when I could have done them, I was sure to feel unhappy

and discontented with myself at night for having missed them.

A. [after a minute's silence.] But, after all, supposing I had got this good habit, I dare say I could never do it in service.

R. If you have gained the habit, and value it, you will make opportunities, not make excuses. It may be harder then than now, therefore begin now. In some places the work may be so heavy as to leave a maid no time-the care of children particularly; and when there are real hinderances, no doubt our heavenly Father will accept the will to do it; and a pious thought in the midst of worldly business will be instead of a longer service. But most maids might find scraps of time, as indeed they do for their own business. Do you think they never spend time needlessly in dressing themselves, or trimming their caps, or looking out of window ?

A. Yes; I never walk down the street in Summerford early in the morning, without seeing a housemaid or two staring out of the upper windows.

R. They do it from habit or trick, whenever they go to make the beds. But if they had got the habit I am speaking of, it would come quite as naturally to them. If they had laid up beforehand a stock of texts and good thoughts; if they had got to think on

some one point of doctrine each day in the week, as you know is taught in the school

here-

A. You mean in those lessons for every day in the week that they learn? I understand; it would come as naturally to them as they are going up and down stairs, as it does to think that Saturday is scouring day, or anything else. To be sure, when I am at work, I think of nothing but working.

R. And so we should, when we have anything to do that requires attention; then we must give our whole thoughts to it for the time. And if we do so, because it is our duty, then what we do will be sanctifiedmade holy-we shall still be doing it to the glory of God. But as we sit at our needlework, or as we go up and down stairs, our thoughts may be free. A person who is willing to do her duty both to God and to her neighbour, will find out this for herself.

A. I will settle how I can do things in order, and what time I can find in the day for doing as you recommend. I am quite in a hurry to begin.

R. Now I will help you to put away the things; for my business is to watch that I do not get too fond of sitting still and talking. I have just finished my last row of knitting.

Ann. I have been thinking of what you said to me. I remembered it before I got up yesterday. But somehow, when I got to my work, I forgot it; at least, I found no time to think of anything religious. I am afraid, Rachel, there has been very little religiousness in my life. I have often thought so; but I never could tell how to put it in. After all, I see it is a bad thing to have no leisure; I should be better if I had.

Rachel. Nothing is bad which belongs to the lot which God has appointed for you. Perhaps you would not make a good use of leisure, if you had it: very likely not. Work is very good for us; and whatever duties are appointed for us, we are sure of help to do them, if we seek it rightly. I only wished to guard you against being quite taken up by daily labour. I meant only to remind you that one thing is needful, and that we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

A. Yes, I always believed that; I have always been taught it. But you know I can never sit alone, as you have to do at your needlework.

R. You say you are never alone, Ann; but your mother trusts you to go to the shop very often; that is a long walk.

A. Yes, two miles at least, the road way; and nearly as far through the fields in dry weather; and what with getting over the stiles, and setting down my basket, even that way it takes me a good hour and a half, there and back.

R. It is a long walk, but it is a very nice and pretty walk over the fields, and through the copse. And you are quite by yourself, with the blue sky over your head, and all the other works of God round you. Do you not make some use of such a leisure time?