“Ah, you are too good, too kind,” said Mrs. Foster, weeping.

“No, no, my dear friend,” returned Elsie; “does not the Master say, ‘This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you?’ Now tell me, please, what sort of situations they would like, and what branches they feel competent to teach.”

“Annie is a good musician and draws well.  She would be glad indeed to get a class of pupils in the neighborhood to whom she might give lessons, here or at their own homes, in drawing and on the piano and harp.  Lucinda thinks she could teach the English branches, the higher mathematics, and French.

“But, indeed, my dear Mrs. Travilla, they will be thankful for anything:  especially if it does not take them away from me.”

“We will see what can be done,—­my husband, papa, and I,” Elsie said, rising to take leave.  “And do not be anxious; remember those precious words, ‘Casting all your care on Him for He careth for you.’”

“Do not go yet!” entreated Mrs. Foster, taking and holding fast the hand held out to her, “if you only knew what a comfort your presence is—­Ah, dear, kind friend, God has made you a daughter of consolation to his bereaved, afflicted ones!”

Elsie’s eyes filled.  “It is what I have prayed that he would do for me,” she whispered.  “But I think I must go now:  my husband was to call for me, and I see him at the gate.”

Elsie repeated the conversation to her husband as they rode homeward, and consulted him in regard to a plan which had occurred to her.

He approved, and instead of stopping at Ion they rode on to Roselands.

Arrived there, Mr. Travilla joined the gentlemen in the library, while Elsie sought her aunts in the pretty parlor usually occupied by them when not entertaining company.

After a little desultory chat on ordinary topics, she spoke of the Fosters, their indigent circumstances, and her desire to find employment for the girls in teaching.

“Always concerning yourself in other people’s business;” remarked Enna.  “Why don’t you do like the rest of us, and leave them to mind their own affairs?”

“Because I see that they need help, and we are told, ’Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others.’  And again, ’As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’

“I heard you, not long since, Aunt Louise, wishing you could afford a day governess and knew of a suitable person.  Would you—­would you be willing to employ one at my expense, and give the situation to Lucinda Foster?”

“And let her give it out among our acquaintance that you were paying for the education of my children!” exclaimed Louise, coloring angrily.  “No, I thank you.”

“Not at all; she need know nothing of the arrangement except that you employ her to instruct your children, and pay her for it.  You and Enna, if she will accept the same from me, for herself.”