"I shall be very glad to have it, and very thankful for your
kindness in offering it to me," returned Mrs. Partridge, rising from
her chair, and adding as she did so--

"But I must be getting home. It is nearly dark, and Jane will be
anxious to see me back again."

I handed her the seventy-five cents she had earned for washing for
me during a whole day. Promising to come over and see me early in
the morning about the sewing, she withdrew, and I was left again to
my own reflections.

"If ever a murmurer and complainer received a severe rebuke, it is
I!" was the first almost audible thought that passed through my
mind. "To think that I, with my cup full and running over with
blessings, should make myself and all around me unhappy, because a
few minor things are not just to my satisfaction, while this woman,
who toils like a slave from morning until night, and who can hardly
procure food and clothing for her children, from whom she is almost
constantly separated, is patient and hopeful, makes me feel as if I
deserved to lose what I have refused to enjoy."

On the next morning Mrs. Partridge called quite early. She cut and
fitted several frocks for the children, at which work she seemed
very handy, and then took them home to make. She sewed for me five
weeks, and then got work in another family where I recommended her.
Since then, she has been kept constantly employed in sewing, at good
prices, by about six families. In all of these I have spoken of her
and created an interest in her favour. The mere wages that she earns