ell, and most kind and hospitable. But, my
dearest wife, I feel concerned about yourself; you look fagged and pale.
Come, sit down for a few minutes, and tell me all about it. There, the
fire's burning up a bit; and now that I have got you for a while, I must
not let you slip through my fingers. Just lay your bonnet down; you'll
have plenty of time to dress for dinner. I don't like these evening
meetings. I am sure they are good for neither mind nor body. You'll
wear yourself out."

"Oh, nonsense, dear John; I never was better than I am now--only a
little tired now and then. But surely we are put into this world to do
good; and it is better to wear out than to rust out."

"Not a doubt of it, my dearest Agnes; but it is quite possible to keep
the rust away without wearing yourself out at all; and, still more,
without wearing yourself out prematurely. At the rate you are going on
now, you will finish up your usefulness in a few years at the farthest,
instead of extending it, please God, over a long and peaceful life."

Mrs Prosser was silent for a few moments, and then she said: "Are you
not a little unreasonable, dear John? What would you have me give up?
If all were of your mind, what would become of society?"

"Why, in that case, I believe that society would find itself on a much
safer foundation, and surrounded by a much healthier atmosphere. But
come, now, tell me, what are your engagements for next week?"

"Why, not so many. To-morrow is Christmas-day, you know, and the next
day is Sunday, so that I shall have quite a holiday, and a fine time for
recruiting."

"Good! And what on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etcetera?"

"Let me see, John. On Monday and Thursday mornings Clara Thompson and
her sister come here, and we read French, German, and Italian together;
and on Monday evening we meet at Clara's mother's to practise for the
amateur concert. On Tuesday morning I have promised to help poor Miss
Danvers."

"Miss Danvers! Why, what help can she need from you?"

"Come, dearest John, don't be unfeeling; she is over head and ears in
debt, and--"

"And do you mean that you are going to take her liabilities upon
yourself?"

"Nonsense, John; you are laughing at me; it isn't kind. I had not
finished my sentence. She is overwhelmed with letter-debts, poor thing;
and I promised to go and help her with her correspondence. You know we
are told in the Bible to `bear one another's burdens.'"

"True