Part 8 (1/2)

But by and by something was said about the lessons of the next day, and she roused herself up enough to drop her accustomed words about ”privileges and responsibilities,” and then went on to tell how different every thing had been in her young days, and before she knew it she was giving them her own history. There was not much to tell. That is, there had been few incidents in her life, but a great deal of hard work, many trials and disappointments--and many blessings as well.

”And,” said Aunt Bethia, ”if I were to undertake, I couldn't always tell you which was which. For sometimes the things I wished most for, and worked hardest to get, didn't amount to but very little when I got them.

And the things I was most afraid of went clear out of sight, or turned right round into blessings, as soon as I came near enough to touch them.

And I tell you, children, there is nothing in the world that it's worth while being afraid of but sin. You can't be too much afraid of that.

It is a solemn thing to live in the world, especially such times as these. But there's no good talking. Each one must learn for himself; and it seems as though folks would need to live one life, just to teach them how to live. I don't suppose there's any thing I could say to you that would make much difference. Talk don't seem to amount to much, any way.”

”I am sure you must have seen a great deal in your life, Miss Bethia, and might tell us a great many things to do us good,” said Violet, but she did not speak very enthusiastically, for she was not very fond of Miss Bethia's good advice any more than her brothers; and little Jessie got them happily out of the difficulty, by asking:

”What did you use to do when you were a little girl, Aunt Bethia?”

”Pretty much what other little girls did. We lived down in New Hamps.h.i.+re, then, and what ever made father come away up here for, is more than I can tell. I had a hard time after we came up here. I helped father and the boys to clear up our farm. I used to burn brush, and make sugar, and plant potatoes and corn, and spin and knit. I kept school twenty-one seasons, off and on. I didn't know much, but a little went a great way in those days. I used to teach six days in the week, and make out a full week's spinning or weaving, as well. I was strong and smart then, and ambitious to make a living and more. After a while, my brothers moved out West, and I had to stay at home with father and mother, and pretty soon mother died. I have been on the old place ever since. It is ten years since father died. I've stayed there alone most of the time since, and I suppose I shall till my time comes. And children, I've found out that life don't amount to much, except as it is spent as a time of preparation--and for the chance it gives you to do good to your neighbours; and it ain't a great while since I knew that, only as I heard folks say it. It ain't much I've done of it.”

There was nothing said for a minute or two, and then Ned made them all laugh by asking, gravely:

”Miss Bethia, are you very rich?”

Miss Bethia laughed, too.

”Why, yes; I suppose I may say I am rich. I've got all I shall ever want to spend, and more, too. I've got all I want, and that's more than most folks who are called rich can say. And I have earned all I've got.

But it ain't what one has got, so much as what one has done, that makes life pleasant to look back upon.”

”It is pleasant to have plenty of money, too, however,” said Jem.

”And people can do good with their money,” said Violet.

”Yes, that is true; but money don't stand for everything, even to do good with. Money won't stand instead of a life spent in G.o.d's service.

Money, even to do good with, is a poor thing compared with that. Money won't go a great ways in the making of happiness, without something else.”

”Would you like to live your life over again, Miss Bethia?” asked Violet.

”No--I shouldn't. Not unless I could live it a great deal better. And I know myself too well by this time to suppose I should do that. It wouldn't pay, I don't believe. But oh! children, it is a grand thing to be young, to have your whole life before you to give to the Lord. You can't begin too young. Boys, and you, too, Violet--you have great privileges and responsibilities.”

This was Miss Bethia's favourite way of putting their duty before them.

She had said this about ”privilege and responsibility” two or three times to-night already, as the boys knew she would. It had come to be a by-word among them. But even Jem did not smile this time, she was so much in earnest, and Violet and David looked very grave.

”'Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.' That's what you've got to do. 'Take the whole armour of G.o.d,' and fight His battles.”

The boys looked at each other, remembering all that had been said about this of late.

”Your father said right. It is a grand thing to come to the end of life and be able to say, 'I have fought the good fight; I have kept the faith.'”

”Like Mr Great Heart in the Pilgrim's Progress,” said Ned.

”Yes. Sometimes it's lions, and sometimes it's giants, but it's fighting all the way through, and G.o.d gives the victory. Yes,”

continued Miss Bethia, after a pause, ”it's fighting all the way through, and it don't so much matter how it looks to other folks.

Horseshoes or sermons, it don't matter, so that it is done to the Lord.