a very gentle hand upon the blue-veined forehead. "I think
goodness is only comparative at the best of times, dear," she said. "I
don't feel that I am specially good. If I seem so to you, it is probably
because my life holds very few temptations to be anything else."

"Ah!" Toby said, with a quick sigh. "And do you think people ought to be
made to suffer for--for things they can't help?"

Maud shook her head. "I am afraid it often happens, dear."

"And yet you believe in God," Toby said.

"Yes, I believe in God." With quiet reverence Maud made answer. "And I am
quite sure, Toby--quite, quite sure--that He never holds people
responsible for the things they can't help."

"Then why--" began Toby restlessly.

Maud interrupted her. "No, no. Don't ask why! The world is as God made
it. 'We are His workmanship.' Let Him do with us as He will!"

Toby's hands clenched. A frown that was curiously unchildlike drew the
wide forehead. "Are we to be quite passive then? Just--slaves?"

"No," Maud said. "Servants--not slaves. There is a big difference. And
every one of us--every one of us--has God's work to do in the world."

"And you think that bad people,--like me--can do anything?" said Toby.

Maud smiled a little. "Toby dear, I am quite sure that your work is
waiting for you."

"Don't know where I'm going to begin," said Toby, with another sigh.

"My dear, you have begun." Maud's hand smoothed the fair hair. "Do you
think I don't know how hard you try?"

Toby's eyes filled with quick tears. "But is it any good trying? Shall I
ever get away from--from--" She broke off with a nervous, upward glance.
"Shall I ever do more than begin?" she substituted rather piteously.

"My dear, yes." Very quietly, with absolute decision, Maud made answer.
"You are young--too young to be hampered by anything that is past. You
have your life before you, and--to a very great extent--you can make of
it what you will. There is no need--believe me, there is no need--to look
back. There is only time enough for the present. Just keep on trying!
Make the very best you can of it! And you will find the future will come
out all right."

"Will it?" said Toby rather dubiously.

Maud bent and kissed her. "Certainly it will, dear. Never doubt it! It
may not be the future we plan for ourselves, but it will be the very best
possible if we keep on doing our best with the present."

"Thank you," Toby murmured gratefully. "And you really think--you do