“Partly. Thorough—at least, as thorough as one can—of the physical and material nature of things, then of the precedent which then results, also of reasoning.” “Metaphysical, do you mean, or logical?” “That comes in; but I was thinking of mathematical in the indirect training of the mind. It all works into needful equipment, and so does actual life.” “It takes one’s breath away.” “Well, we have begun our training,” said Dolores, with a sweet sad smile. “At least, I hope so.” “At St. Robert’s, you mean?” “You have, I think. But I believe my aunt will be expecting us.” “Oh! And then they talk about modesty and womanliness and retiring! What do you think about all that?” “That we never shall do any good without it.” They were interrupted by the hasty rushing up of Paula, who had committed her bicycle to Vera, and came dashing up the steep slope, crying, “O Nag, Nag, they are going away!” The announcement was interrupted as she perceived the presence of the visitor, and they rose to meet her, but saw that there were tears in her eyes, and she had rushed up so fast that she was panting and could hardly speak, though she gave her hand, as Agatha, after naming the two cousins, asked, “Who are going?” “The Sisters—Sister Mena—” with another overflow of tears which made Dolores and Gillian think they had better retreat and leave her to her sister’s consolation; so they took leave hastily, Agatha however, coming as far as their machines, and confiding to them, “Poor Polly, it is a great blow to her, but I believe it is very good for her.” “There’s stuff in that girl,” said Dolores, as soon as they were out of reach. “She has the faculty of hearkening as well as of hearing.” “You would say so if you saw her at a lecture; and she is also gaining power of expressing and reproducing,” said Gillian. “She will be a power by and by, unless some blight comes across her.” “Will me, will me, it seems as if we _had_ to do it. Even Mamma, whose ideal was chivalry, Church and home, has to be drawn out to take a certain public part; Aunt Jane, who only wished to live to potter about among neighbours, poor and rich, must needs come out of her traditional conventions, and relate her experiences, and you—” “Oh, I am only trying to do the work Gerald aimed at!” “Any way we have our work before us, whether we call it for the Church or mankind.” “Charity or Altruism,” said Dolores. “May not altruism lead to charity?” said Gillian. “Sometimes, but sometimes disappointment leads only to intolerance of those whose methods differ. Altruism will not stand without a foundation,” said Dolores. “Mysie has been impressing on me, with what she heard from Phyllis Devereux, of the work Sister Angela has been doing at Albertstown—the most utter self-abnegation, through bitter disappointment in her most promising pupils—only the charity that is rooted could endure. It is just the old difference Tennyson points out between Wisdom and Knowledge.”