Part 4 (1/2)
Flora felt sad when she thought that her family were the only ones of those who knew her who were entirely indifferent as to what she did or where she went.
”Only think, Ruth,” she said to her friend, ”it doesn't matter to them, whether I go wrong or right. What encouragement is there for a girl in my place to try to do right?”
”It does seem hard, dear,” the gentle friend replied; ”but then you will s.h.i.+ne out all the brighter in the end for doing right in the face of discouragements; and G.o.d cares, you know.”
They were at the gate, and bidding Ruth good-bye, Flora slowly went up the path to the house, her brain very active with new thoughts and purposes.
”Yes, G.o.d will help me, if I ask him,” said Flora, softly, as she went to her room, and after doffing her hat and jacket, she knelt beside her bed, and asked the dear Lord to bless and strengthen her in her new surroundings, and let her life tell for him.
CHAPTER V.
THE BEGINNING.
Monday morning was cloudy. Flora felt gloomy and dispirited, and notwithstanding her good resolutions, not in a mood to make any extra exertion.
Mr. Hazeley had gone to his work, Harry and Alec to school, and the mother was in bed with a sick headache. Flora was lonely. There was much to be done, she realized, but just where to begin she did not know.
There was no one to tell her what to do, and everything looked very dark to her on this Monday morning.
The dishes were nicely washed, and carefully put away. The little dining room had been swept and dusted, and looked somewhat more inviting. The window where the sweet potato, the last link binding her with the past at Brinton, stood, had been washed until the gla.s.s fairly shone, and now she stood gazing listlessly out into the street.
Presently she saw Ruth, on her way home from market. When in front of the house, Ruth looked up, and saw Flora's woe-begone face at the window. She stopped, and gave her a smiling little nod. Flora's countenance brightened immediately, and she hastened to meet her.
”You look lonely, this morning,” was Ruth's greeting.
”Indeed, I feel so,” admitted Flora.
”If you are not busy come home with me for a while.”
”I should like nothing better,” cried Flora. ”Just wait until I tell mother.”
In a moment she was back, and the two walked on, Flora insisting on helping Ruth with her market-basket.
Jem met them at the door of the tiny house, and conducted them in with great dignity. Flora was delighted with everything.
”What a dear little house,” she exclaimed, glancing about her admiringly.
”I am glad you like it,” said Ruth, looking pleased.
”And what a dear, little, old-fas.h.i.+oned housekeeper you make!”
”Do you really think so?”
”Of course I do,” said Flora, heartily. ”Ruth, dear,” she continued, abruptly changing the subject, ”I want a talk with you.”
”I shall be so glad to have you,” said Ruth, seating herself, with a pan of apples in her lap. ”Sit down beside me, and you can talk while I pare these apples.”
”I will help,” replied Flora. ”Run, Jem dear, and get another knife for me, like a good girl.”
Jem obeyed, and soon returning, brought with her a box filled with bits of calicoes, and various odds and ends, seated herself also, and proceeded to fas.h.i.+on what she was pleased to call ”doll's clothes.”