“Any fresh disturbance from that man, my child? For if there is, you know we will have to bind him over to keep the peace,” said Dr. Shaw, as soon as Roma had taken her seat beside him. “Oh, no, thank heaven! But I have received letters from my relatives in Delfcome, urging me to come to them. I think of going; that is all. No, it is not all, either, by the way.” “You think of going? How soon?” “Just as soon as I get through some work I have set myself to do, by which time I hope you will be ready to take care of me on the voyage.” “I?—oh, my dear child!” “They expect you for August and September.” “A dream! a dream, my dear! I cannot leave my flock without a shepherd.” “And you shall not, dear Dr. Shaw. Hear me, dear pastor. I am the stewardess of more wealth than I know how to manage. I need your wisdom to direct and assist me in its distribution. For that reason I begged your company here this morning,” Roma said. “What is your idea, my child?” “Well, my dear pastor, my second and well beloved father, I hope you will not be offended with your child, for, first of all, I wish to employ an assistant to relieve you of some of the arduous work of the parish,” Roma said, almost timidly, for there were some occasions—like this, for instance—when our regal Amazon was timid. She was fearful of seeming to patronize the venerable man who had all her reverence and affection. He understood her. “Your thought is kind, my child, and I thank you. Have you any special person in view?” he inquired. “No, no one whatever. I wish you to find some proper man, and employ him in your own name.” “I will think it over, my child. Yes, such an assistant would be a very great relief to me, at my age, though that circumstance, perhaps, ought not to be considered in the question.” “I do not see why it should not be. I think it is the first and most important circumstance to be considered in the question,” Roma answered warmly. “Oh, yes, my child. I know you think so, and that is just where your human affections and partialities come into the way to obscure your clear view of duty and responsibility. Now, let me ask you—is there not some other way, in fact, are there not many other ways, in which your means could be employed with better advantage to the poor and suffering of this world?” “I do not know that there are. You are wearing yourself out in the work of this parish, and you should be relieved.” “But, my child, it is the duty of every servant of God to ‘spend and be spent’ in His service.” “Yes,” said Roma thoughtfully, “and that your services may be the longer continued to your Lord and your people you must have an assistant.” “But, my child, there are more ways——” “Well, and there are more means,” said Roma. Then she broke forth, with sudden energy: “So much more means! Oh, Dr. Shaw, you don’t know how responsible I feel for all the wealth I have inherited. I hardly can think it is mine—that I have any right to it.”