though I would not have hinted at such a thing, I should rather have
enjoyed the daily walk. I was fond of fresh air, and exercise, and
rushing about, after the manner of girls, and it seemed rather tame
and monotonous just to cross the street to one's work; but I
remembered Allan's favorite speech, "Beggars must not be choosers,"
and held my peace.

On the whole, I felt somewhat comforted by my talk with mother. If
she and Uncle Geoffrey thought so well of me, I must try and live up
to their good opinion. There is nothing so good as to fix a high
standard for one's self. True, we may never reach it, never satisfy
ourselves, but the continued effort strengthens and elevates us.

I went into Carrie's room to tell her about the Thornes, and lay our
plans together, but she was reading Thomas a Kempis, and did not seem
inclined to be disturbed, so I retreated somewhat discomforted.

But I forgot my disappointment a moment afterward, when I went into
the schoolroom and found Dot fractious and weary, and Jack vainly
trying to amuse him. Allan was busy, and the two children had passed
a solitary morning.

"Dot wanted Carrie to read to him, but she said she was too tired,
and I could do it," grumbled Jack, disconsolately.

"I don't like Jack's reading; it is too jerky, and her voice is too
loud," returned Dot; but his countenance smoothed when I got the book
and read to him, and soon he fell into a sound sleep.