“Did they follow your advice?”

“They did, and both is prosperin’ in different ways.  Gusty, she found she was well on’t for love, so she married, though Samuel Buck was poor, and they’re happy as can be a workin’ up together, same as Lisha and me did.  Addy, she calc’lated she wan’t satisfied somehow, so she didn’t marry, though James Miller was wal off; and she’s kep stiddy to her trade, and ain’t never repented.  There’s a sight said and writ about such things,” continued Mrs. Wilkins, rambling on to give Christie time to think; “but I’ve an idee that women’s hearts is to be trusted ef they ain’t been taught all wrong.  Jest let ’em remember that they take a husband for wuss as well as better (and there’s a sight of wuss in this tryin’ world for some on us), and be ready to do their part patient and faithful, and I ain’t a grain afraid but what they’ll be fetched through, always pervidin’ they love the man and not his money.”

There was a pause after that last speech, and Christie felt as if her perplexity was clearing away very fast; for Mrs. Wilkins’s plain talk seemed to show her things in their true light, with all the illusions of false sentiment and false reasoning stripped away.  She felt clearer and stronger already, and as if she could make up her mind very soon when one other point had been discussed.

“I fancy my friend is somewhat influenced by the fact that this man loved and asked her to marry him some years ago.  He has not forgotten her, and this touches her heart more than any thing else.  It seems as if his love must be genuine to last so long, and not to mind her poverty, want of beauty, and accomplishments; for he is a proud and fastidious man.”

“I think wal of him for that!” said Mrs. Wilkins, approvingly; “but I guess she’s wuth all he gives her, for there must be somethin’ pretty gennywin’ in her to make him overlook her lacks and hold on so stiddy.  It don’t alter her side of the case one mite though; for love is love, and ef she ain’t got it, he’d better not take gratitude instid, but sheer off and leave her for somebody else.”

“Nobody else wants her!” broke from Christie like an involuntary cry of pain; then she hid her face by stooping to gather up the avalanche of hosiery which fell from her lap to the floor.

“She can’t be sure of that,” said Mrs. Wilkins cheerily, though her spectacles were dim with sudden mist.  “I know there’s a mate for her somewheres, so she’d better wait a spell and trust in Providence.  It wouldn’t be so pleasant to see the right one come along after she’d went and took the wrong one in a hurry:  would it?  Waitin’ is always safe, and time needn’t be wasted in frettin’ or bewailin’; for the Lord knows there’s a sight of good works sufferin’ to be done, and single women has the best chance at ’em.”

“I’ve accomplished one good work at any rate; and, small as it is, I feel better for it.  Give this sock to your husband, and tell him his wife sets a good example both by precept and practice to other women, married or single.  Thank you very much, both for myself and my friend, who shall profit by your advice,” said Christie, feeling that she had better go before she told every thing.