Pine Needles

h paused, "I should think someb

id Flora, stitching

"As you would soon see, if all the Churches had the m

self up to such business,"

body o

"do you think everybody

"that is just abo

arts; not everybody. But everybody can give himself up to the work of

said Maggie with a s

ye first the kingdom of

'" Flora

irst,'

. The words mean that,

re everyt

Suppose you

want to hear any of that stuff. What is it to

ringing up to go and meet him. For Fenton

boy, with a good figure and a bright eye, and also the old, somewhat supercilious upper lip. But

" He had sat down on the bank with th

ora; "partly perhaps because we are not wont to

re you

r attention in what at present offers

replied Fenton. "I don't see anything exc

he last of it to Fairbairn; and Flora drank up all

ps of sugar, and then stood

to dinner?" said he. "I

looking at his watch. "Just the

sed. What did you come out here so far for? I haven't had a respectable dinner

"What a vulgar expression

't have any wine, Fenton; we don't

s the

ed his wine-cellar," said Esth

it al

nt it off a

the matter

r, "it is thought improper fo

funny to see, there was s

amma give

"but papa sold the wine; and our dinner-table do

clamation which I am afraid w

th wine, Fenton," said Maggie

e is crochety perhaps the other will be straight. Well, I'm not going to live

nto horrified exclamati

bill," said Esther, "an

aggie, "and it will be no use.

Eden

irls

ouldn't have come!" said

ed Meredith quietly. "There goes more to the m

do you

, noble thoughts, care for others above

ted Fenton. "Do you ca

ngs people in

not ge

re not gentlemen af

id the boy not very politely. "

n slaves. I don't choose to be in bondage. And if it would not enslave m

standing forth in new beauty in consequence; the day gathering in its train, as it were, to prepare for a stately leave-taking by and by. Meredith and Maggie, loath to go, lingered the last of the party; indeed he had the cart to draw, which was heavy, and needed careful guiding in places over and between the rocks; and he could not run on with the heads of the party. And Mag

you think everybody ou

give the charge to some

it? Everybody canno

'-so that means at home as

gospel in al

es

an I,

Mr. Murray? But one thing is certain; those who sta

take a gr

out telling the gospel to all the world? Suppose one man

ver get

ars since the Lord gave the command; and the heat

great many people, it would

s. What

ple cannot

Mr. Murray

you think? I know y

we should seek fi

left the discussion. They were all ready for dinner, as far as appetite

d Fenton, who took t

to wit?" sa

as I am; but I did not mean that. It is uncommo

oked up a

terror to good work

a nuisanc

ociety. I hope you do not

eyes, "do you mean, Fenton, that you ar

em. Mamma never in

to do," said Maggie, wi

wisdom. I can tell what is good

do it, I

no use in putting chains round a fellow-all th

's commands, chai

Maggie; nothin

n is coming, to make

ton. "I am out for some fun; and if I can't

Fenton would go down to the wine-cellar, to see if a bottle or two might not by chance have been left; and though the key was not to be had and he came back discomfited, Maggie could not get over

own very wild

e like girls,

an't be as respectable

ll run into what they don't like just to have their own way; beca

"but there is some truth in it. Don't worry about Fen

disgraceful-in a

raceful in a ma

come near that Professor Wilkins, who always talks to me

acquisition. He talked big of doings at the school where he was now placed, horrified Maggie by showing that he was quite a

t last. "What shall we

hip with us," said Meredi

ut in the woods to

e there

ay. We have a bonfire, and a nice lunch,

"I can't stand much of th

Esther. "And com

e? It's to

ine wood is nice-and the pine needles make a beautiful

was ar