"No; she only cried a good deal, and begged me to be prudent and not
overtax my strength; and then she talked about you, and hoped I
should help you as much as possible, as though I meant to shirk any
part of my duty. I do not think she really disapproved, only she
seemed nervous and timid about it; but I ask you, Esther, how I could
help offering my services, when Mrs. Smedley told me about the
neglected state of the parish, and how few ladies came forward to
help?"

"But how will you find time?" I remonstrated; though what was the
good of remonstrating when Carrie had once made up her mind?

"I have the whole of Saturday afternoon, and an hour on Wednesday,
and now the evenings are light I might utilize them a little. I am to
have Nightingale lane and the whole of Rowley street, so one
afternoon in the week will scarcely be sufficient."

"Oh, Carrie," I groaned; but, actually, though the mending lay on my
mind like a waking nightmare, I could not expostulate with her. I
only looked at her in a dim, hopeless way and shook my head; if these
were her views I must differ from them entirely. Not that I did not
wish good--heavenly good--to the poor, but that I felt home duties
would have to be left undone; and after all that uncle had done for
us!

"And then I promised Mrs. Smedley that I would help in the Sunday
-school," she continued, cheerfully. "She was so pleased, and kissed
me quite gratefully. She says she and Mr. Smedley have had such up-hill
work since they came to Milnthorpe--and there is so much lukewarmness