I have finished all the work that Lady Jemima left me, and oh, how glad I am that it is done! I am afraid it has done me no good, however, because I have disliked it so much. And more than that, I am afraid that the poor women at the almshouses, for whom it is intended, will not be so very much the better either, for the garments are not well-fashioned, and though I did my best to reform their shapes, I did not succeed very well. I asked my Lady if I might go and carry the basket to the almshouses. "What is it?" she asked. I told her about it. "And when have you found time to do so much?" she asked, looking not very well-pleased. I hastened to tell her that I had sewed during my hours of recreation, instead of going out to walk, but she was no better satisfied than before. "I thought you were not looking well," said she. "Lady Jemima should have had more consideration than to lay such a task upon you. Henceforth, Margaret, remember that I wish you to walk every day when the weather is pleasant. You will fulfil no duty to anybody by making yourself sick." "I did miss my walks very much, my Lady," I said, "but my Lady Jemima wished the work finished, and she said I ought to deny myself daily." I stopped, for I did not wish to repeat all that Lady Jemima had said. My Lady smiled. "Well, well!" said she. "My sister meant well, no doubt, and so did you. But remember, sweetheart, that your time and your health are not altogether your own, and that you must first do your duty in the state of life to which you have been called. I am not angry with you, child, so you need not look so downcast." "But, mamma!" said Betty, anxiously, "Margaret and I want to make some more clothes for the twins, and for their mother. You don't mind that, do you? I do love it so much, and I am learning to work nicely. Margaret says so." "O no. That is quite another matter. Let me see this same work." So I brought out our basket, and Lady Betty displayed all we had accomplished between us, scrupulously avoiding the taking any more than her due share of credit. She is a wonderful truthful child. My Lady examined the work, and seemed much pleased. "You have done wonders," said she. "But whose work is this pretty christening dress, for so I presume it is?" "That is Margaret's!" said Lady Betty, as proud of the modest little row of satin stitch, as if she had done it herself. "Is it not pretty, mamma?" "Very pretty, indeed!" replied my Lady. "Margaret knows how to do all kinds of pretty work," continued Betty. "She can work tapestry, and make knotting, and knit!" "Margaret is a wonderful person, no doubt. I think we are much obliged to good Mr. Carey for bringing her to us. You must ask her to teach you some of these feats of hers," said my Lady. "Have you any of your work by you, Margaret? I should like to see it."