cannot give as good an account of myself, either in words or actions as
Minnie can, would have no objection to doing some good too, and if she
will accept my help, I shall be glad to render it such as it is."
Minnie thanked her with tears in her eyes, and accepted her offer with
simple gratitude, whereupon several of the others also volunteered their
aid, and some who lived too far away to render actual assistance begged
to know if there was no way in which they could help.
Minnie had by this time explained the plan of working adopted by Mabel
and herself, which was received with expressions of unmixed approval by
all, with the exception of Mona, who sat silently during their
conversation with her head bent over her work.
Mabel appeared in the midst of their discussion, and was greatly
surprised to learn the subject of it. She, however, entered heartily
into the debate, and a plan was quickly sketched out whereby the eager
desire displayed by all present to join in the work was to be satisfied.
Mabel was all this while wondering how their doings at Hollowmell had
come to be known among the girls, but no one explained, and even after
Minnie and she were on their way home, Minnie spoke no word in
explanation of this strange circumstance.
On the following day, of course, she received a full account from one of
those who had been present, and her love and respect for her friend
increased tenfold on becoming acquainted with the part she had played on
the occasion.
"She is a true heroine," thought Mabel when left to herself again, "I
don't understand how she can do things like that. I am sure if they were
required of me I could not do them. Why is there such a difference
between us? She seems to do everything so well, though she is just newly
conscious that there are things like this to do, and I have been
acquainted with the fact all my life. I am distracted by doubts and
fears--I, who have known the reality of God's love and goodness so long,
and she, who only a few weeks ago wakened up to that reality, is able to
rest in it without question or misgiving. Ah! that is the difference, I
only know of its existence, while she feels it--breathes it--lives in
it."
Just then her meditations were broken in upon by Minnie herself who ran
in, exclaiming breathlessly, "O, I am so glad you're here early, I did
so want to have a chat with you before the school commenced!"
"All right," replied Mabel, who had been occupi
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