"I think perhaps I should study at home, and perhaps teach awhile, as we first intended; and I might go next year. I don't seem to have the ambition I used to have about it. Going to the seminary isn't everything. I guess you had better let me stay at home." "I will think about it, dear. I am sorry you feel so," said Eunice gravely. Of course Fidelia had her own way. After much consideration of the matter by Eunice and her two counsellors, Mrs Stone and the doctor, it was thought best that it should be so. She was too unhappy and indifferent to appreciate or to profit by the advantages to be enjoyed at the seminary, and for the present she would be better at home. She could still go there later, if the way should open; and so it was left. Jabez's plans were not settled for the next summer yet; but, whether he was to rent Miss Eunice's garden or not, it must be planted and sowed by some one; and the more there was done in the fall the less there would be to do in the spring. "And I consider that it was in the contract that I should leave it all straight," said Jabez; and so he worked faithfully, and Fidelia worked with him; and the sharp autumn winds brought a tinge of colour to her pale face, and now and then the sound of her laugh brought a thrill of pleasure to the hearts of the two women sitting within. She was very gentle and loving with Eunice all this time, watching over her, and anticipating her wishes in many sweet and unexpected ways. She was helpful to Mrs Stone also--indeed, showing a little wilfulness in the constant taking of the least pleasant part of the household work into her own hands. She was trying to be good, but she was not happy. She might have known--she did know, that without submission to the will of God no one could be either truly happy or good; and she was not submissive. Things had gone sadly wrong with their happy life, and for her she saw no chance happiness again. Poor foolish child!--that she could not see, because she shut her eyes to the light. CHAPTER TWELVE. THE WINTER SCHOOL. Fidelia had too much real strength of character long to yield willingly to sorrow or to the pain of rebellion. She had the sense to see that her sadness depressed her sister, and did her harm. She could not "make believe" to be happy and light-hearted as of old, but after a time she did try to accept the circumstances of her life as it seemed to lie before her, and to determine to make the best of it; and Eunice was content to wait patiently till a better peace on a surer foundation should be hers. And help came to Fidelia, after a time, in a way not foreseen.