give her two hours every morning; but when Fred comes into the
schoolroom with some nonsensical request that would rob me of an hour
or so, I am quite right not to give way to him. Do you think,"
warming into enthusiasm over her subject, "that Fred's violin playing
ought to stand in the way of any real work that will benefit souls as
well as bodies--that will help to reclaim ignorance and teach
virtue?" And Carrie's beautiful eyes grew dark and dewy with feeling.
I wish mother could have seen her; something in her expression
reminded me of a picture of Faith I had once seen.

"Oh, Esther," she continued, for I was too moved to answer her,
"every day I live I long to give myself more entirely to benefiting
my fellow creatures. Girl as I am, I mean to join the grand army of
workers--that is what Mr. Arnold called them. Oh, how I wish I could
remember all he said! He told us not to be disheartened by petty
difficulties, or to feel lonely because, perhaps, those who were our
nearest and dearest discouraged our efforts or put obstacles in our
way. 'You think you are alone,' he said, 'when you are one of the
rank and file in that glorious battalion. There are thousands working
with you and around you, although you cannot see them.' And then he
exhorted us who were young to enter this crusade."

"But, Carrie," I interrupted, somewhat mournfully, for I was tired
and a little depressed, "I am afraid our work is already cut out for
us, and we shall have to do it however little pleased we may be with
the pattern. From what Uncle Geoffrey tells me, we shall be very
poor."

"I am not afraid of poverty, Esther."