Daisy In The Field

"In pursuit of my old psychological study, you know. What has

happened in this poor little place, by this poor creature's

bedside, to do any good to Daisy Randolph?"

Now it was not according to my nature to like to tell him. But

what had I just been asking, but that I might carry messages?

So I spoke, slowly.

"This poor creature is just going to step out of this poor

place, into glory. The light of that glory is shining around

her now, for she said so. You heard her."

"Yes," said the doctor. "Well?"

"Well, Dr. Sandford, it reminded me how near the glory is, and

how little this world's things are in face of it. I have

remembered that I am a servant of the King of that land, and

an heir of the glory; and that He loves me now, and has given

me work to do for Him, and when the work is done will take me

home. And I am content."

"What 'work' are you going to do?" the doctor asked, rather

growlingly.

"I do not know. What He gives me."

And even as I spoke, there was a rush of tears to my eyes,

with the thought that I must do my work alone; but I was

content, nevertheless. Dr. Sandford was not. His fingers

worked restlessly among the thick locks of his hair; as if he

were busy with a thicket of thoughts as well; but he said

nothing more.

Towards morning Molly passed away from the scene of her very

lonely and loveless life journey. I went to the door again, in

time to see the rays of the morning brightening the blue ridge

which lay clear and cool over against me.

What light for Molly now! And what new light for me.

I drove home through that new light, outward and inward. I

could and did give mamma some pleasure at breakfast; and then

slept a quiet, dreamless sleep, to make up for my loss of the

night before.

I have got through my story now, I think. In Molly's cottage,

life started anew for me, on a new basis. Not my own special

gratification, but my Lord's will. And I seeking that, He

takes care of the other. I find it so. And He has promised

that everybody shall find it so. My only care is to do exactly

the work He means I shall do. It is not so easy always to find

out and make sure of that. I would like, if I followed my

liking, I would like to go South and teach in the Freedmen's

schools somewhere. But that is not my work now, for mamma

claims me here.

We are at Melbourne again. As soon as the last tenant's term

of possession was expired, Dr. Sandford had the house put in

order for us, and mamma and I moved in. There is a sort of

pleasure, in being here, in the old place; but it is a mingled

pleasure. I think all places are pleasant to me now. Mamma

reigns here queen, as of old; - for Ransom will not come

North, and leaves all in her hand. All the enjoyment, that is.

Dr. Sandford manages the business. I do not know how long this

will last; for Ransom may marry, and in that case he may wish

to live in the place himself, and mamma and I would have to

go; but that day is not yet; and the blue mountains across the

river, and the slopes of green turf, and the clumps and groves

of trees which stand about the house and adorn the grounds,

are all in even greater beauty than when I was ten years old;

and I enjoy them even more.