CHAPTER XII.


DOUBLE DILIGENCE.

Mrs. Elizabeth Arnold was a very busy woman. During the forty-two years of
her mature active life she could almost be said to have accomplished double
work. Both her conscience and her nature seemed to be all alive to the
rules of our Discipline: "Never be unemployed;" "Never be triflingly
employed." Her large size, large brain, and preponderance of bilious
temperament seemed to call for much sleep and moderate motion. But her
motions were quick and efficient, and her sleep could not have averaged
over six hours in twenty-four. But eighteen hours a day could not satisfy
her longing for "the improvement of her precious time." So she managed,
when alone or not engaged in reading or conversation, to keep up what at
a little distance might be taken for mere humming, but what was really
intelligent singing, simultaneous with the most active work of her hands.
It might begin with a hymn, but would glide on beyond into her own words of
praise or prayer in impromptu music. This free, original singing was the
settled habit of her most driving business hours, and was not annoying to
others. But how those black eyes would sparkle and those florid cheeks glow
with heavenly light as her whole soul seemed absorbed in this spontaneous
singing, while the work of her hands went briskly on, leaving in speed or
finish no mark of absence of mind or false motion.

But this was not her only method of doubling her diligence. Her experience