Daisy In The Field

"You do not think so," said mamma, "or you would be there."

"I am selfish, and have selfish hopes and fears. But you think

so?"

"Let us hear what you consider the worthiest object of life,"

said mamma.

"It is not my turn. Miss Randolph, your mother has spoken -

the next honour belongs to you."

"The worthiest object of life?" I said. "Is that the

question?"

"It will not be a question, when you have answered it," De

Saussure said gallantly.

"You will not like my answer," I said. "I should think it

would be, To please God."

"But that is not an answer, pardon me. Of course, the Supreme

Being is pleased to see people following the worthiest object;

and the question is, What is the worthiest?"

I did not like to hear Mr. De Saussure's tongue touch themes

where it was not at home. The conversation was too serious for

light handling; but I could not get out of it.

"You will find that my answer includes all," I said. "It is

impossible to lay down a rule, as to particulars, that will

fit all cases. It is the best thing one man can do, to lay

down his life for his country; the best thing another man can

do is to stay at home and devote himself to the care of an

infirm mother or father; but in either case, for God."

"I do not understand -" said Mr. Marshall.

"Suppose the one goes to the battlefield for his own glory,

and the other stays at home for his own ease?"

"Don't you think glory is a thing to live for?" said Ransom,

with an indignant expression that reminded me painfully of our

childish days.

"Yes," I said slowly, - "I do; but not the praise of men,

which is so often mistaken. The glory that comes from God, -

that is worth living for."

"What an incomprehensible girl you are!" Ransom answered

impatiently.

"She'll mend -" said mamma.

"But, Miss Randolph," said Mr. Marshall, "the care of infirm

relatives, a father or a mother, can anything make that

unworthy?"

"Not in itself," I said; "but suppose a man's duty calls him

away? It might. You can suppose such a case."

"I see what I have to expect," mamma said with a laugh. "Daisy

will take care of me, until some duty calls her away. I will

not count upon you, Daisy, any longer than that. De Saussure,

what is your estimate of life's objects? On honour, now!"

"I can think of nothing better than to live for somebody that

one loves," he said.

"I knew you would say that," she rejoined. "Hugh, what do you

say?"

"I need to go to school, Mrs. Randolph."

"Well, go to school to Daisy," said mamma with another light

laugh. "And come, let us walk, or we shall not have time.

EugŠne Sue, is it, that we are going to see?"