"But still you will be grieved to leave Combe Manor," I persisted.
"Perhaps we shall have to live in a little pokey house somewhere, and
to go out as governesses."

"Perhaps so," she answered, serenely; "but I shall still find time
for higher duties. I shall be a miser, and treasure all my minutes.
But I have wasted nearly half-an-hour now; but it is such a luxury to
talk to somebody who can understand." And then she kissed me
affectionately and bade me hasten to bed, for it was getting late,
and I looked sadly tired; but it never entered into her head to help
me put away the clothes that strewed my room, though I was aching in
every limb from grief and fatigue. If one looks up too much at the
clouds one stumbles against rough stones sometimes. Star gazing is
very sweet and elevating, but it is as well sometimes to pick up the
homely flowers that grow round our feet. "What does Carrie mean by
higher duties?" I grumbled, as I sought wearily to evoke order out of
chaos. "To work for one's family is as much a duty as visiting the
poor." I could not solve the problem; Carrie was too vague for me
there; but I went to bed at last, and dreamed that we two were
building houses on the seashore. Carrie's was the prettier, for it
was all of sea-weed and bright-colored shells that looked as though
the sun were shining on them, while mine was made of clay, tempered
by mortar.

"Oh, Carrie, I like yours best" I cried, disconsolately; yet as I
spoke a long tidal wave came up and washed the frail building away.
But though mine filled with foamy water, the rough walls remained
entire, and then I looked at it again the receding wave had strewn
its floors with small shining pearls.