'Are you sure, Olive? You were fainting, you know.' 'Yes, I was falling--falling into dark, starry depths, full of living creatures, wheels of light and flame seemed everywhere, and then darkness. I thought mamma had got me in her arms, she seemed by me through it all, and then I heard Cardie say I should break his heart, and then he sobbed, and papa blessed me. I heard some gate close after that, and mamma's arms seemed to loosen from me, and I knew then I was not dying.' 'But you were sorry, Olive.' 'I tried not to be; but it was hard, oh, so hard, Aunt Milly. Think what it was to have that door shut just as one's foot was on the threshold, and when I thought it was all over and I had got mamma back again; but it was wrong to grieve. I have not earned my rest.' 'Hush, my child, you must not take up a new lease of life so sadly; this is a gift, Olive, a talent straight from the Master's hands, to be received with gratitude, to be used joyfully; by and by, when you are stronger, you will find more beautiful work your death would have left unfinished.' A weary look crossed Olive's face. 'Shall I ever be strong enough to work again?' 'You are working now; nay, my child,' as Olive looked up with languid surprise, 'few of us are called upon to do a more difficult task than yours; to take up life when we would choose death, to bear patiently the discipline of suffering and inaction, to wait till He says "work."' 'Dear Aunt Milly, you always say such comforting things. I thought I was only doing nothing but give you trouble.' 'There you were wrong, Olive; every time you suppress an impatient sigh, every time you call up a smile to cheer us, you are advancing a step, gaining a momentary advantage over your old enemy; you know my favourite verses-- "Broadest streams from narrowest sources, Noblest trees from meanest seeds, Mighty ends from small beginnings, From lowly promise lofty deeds. "Acorns which the winds have scattered, Future navies may provide; Thoughts at midnight, whispered lowly, Prove a people's future guide." I am a firm believer in little efforts, Olive.' Olive was silent for a few minutes, but she appeared thinking deeply; but when she spoke next it was in a calmer tone. 'After all, Aunt Milly, want of courage is my greatest fault.' 'I cannot deny it, dear.' 'I am so afraid of responsibility that it seemed easier to die than to face it. You were right; I was selfish to want to leave you all.' 'You must try to rejoice with us that you are spared.' 'Yes, I will try,' with a sigh; but as she began to look white and exhausted, Mildred thought it wiser to drop the conversation.