same standard, he and I. You are better, Esther, but your hard
matter-of-fact reasoning shocks me sometimes."

"Oh, Carrie! why don't you create a world of your own," I demanded,
scornfully, "if we none of us please you--not even Allan?"

"Now you are angry without cause," she returned, gently, for Carrie
rarely lost her temper in an argument; she was so meekly obstinate
that we could do nothing with her. "We cannot create our own world,
Esther; we can only do the best we can with this. When I am working
so hard to do a little good in Milnthorpe, why do you all try to
hinder and drag me back?"

"Because you are _over_doing it, and wearing yourself out," I
returned, determined to have my say; but she stopped me with quiet
peremptoriness.

"No more of that, Esther; I have heard it all from Allan. I am not
afraid of wearing out; I hope to die in harness. Why, child, how can
you be so faint-hearted? We cannot die until our time comes."

"But when we court death it is suicide," I answered, stubbornly; but
Carrie only gave one of her sweet little laughs.

"You foolish Esther! who means to die, I should like to know? Why,
the child is actually crying. Listen to me, you dear goosie. I was
never so happy or well in my life." I shook my head sorrowfully, but
she persisted in her statement. "Mrs. Smedley has given me new life.
How I do love that woman! She is a perfect example to us--of
unselfishness and energy. She says I am her right hand, and I do