and worldliness in the place. Even Miss Lucas, in spite of her goodness
--and she owned she was very good, Esther--will not take their advice
about things."

"I told her," she went on, hesitating, "that I would speak to you,
and ask you to take a Sunday class in the infant school. You are so
fond of children, I thought you would be sure to consent."

"So I would, and gladly too, if you would take my place at home," I
returned, quickly; "but if you do so much yourself, you will prevent
me from doing anything. Why not let me take the Sunday school class,
while you stop with mother and Dot?"

"What nonsense!" she replied, flushing a little, for my proposition
did not please her; "that is so like you, Esther, to raise obstacles
for nothing. Why cannot we both teach; surely you can give one
afternoon a week to God's work?"

"I hope I am giving not one afternoon, but every afternoon to it," I
returned, and the tears rushed to my eyes, for her speech wounded me.
"Oh, Carrie, why will you not understand that I think that all work
that is given us to do is God's work? It is just as right for me to
play with Flurry as it is to teach in the Sunday school."

"You can do both if you choose," she answered, coolly.

"Not unless you take my place," I returned, decidedly, for I had the
Cameron spirit, and would not yield my point; "for in that case Dot
would lose his Sunday lessons, and Jack would be listless and fret
mother."