She asked both the boys why they thought it was that before little birds are fledged, the parent birds bring them food, as often as once in a minute, all day long for some weeks. Perhaps no creatures can go through harder work than this; and why do they do it? for unfledged birds, which are capable of nothing whatever but clamouring for food, are as useless little creatures as can be imagined. Why does the cat take care of her little blind kitten with so much watchfulness, hiding it from all enemies till it can take care of itself. It is because love does not depend on the value of the creature loved--it is because love grows up in our hearts at God's pleasure, and not by our own choice; and it is God's pleasure that the weakest and the least useful and profitable should be the most beloved, till they become able to love and help in their turn. "Is it possible, my dear," she said to Hugh, "that you did not know this,--you who love little Harry so much, and take such care of him at home? I am sure you never stopped to think whether Harry could do you any service, before helping him to play." "No; but then----" "But what?" "He is such a sweet little fellow, it is a treat to look at him. Every morning when I woke, I longed to be up, and to get to him." "That is, you loved him. Well: your papa and I love you all, in the same way. We get up with pleasure to our business--your father to his shop, and I to my work-basket--because it is the greatest happiness in the world to serve those we love." Hugh said nothing; but still, though pleased, he did not look quite satisfied. "Susan and cook are far more useful to me than any of you children," continued his mother, "and yet I could not work early and late for them, with the same pleasure as for you." Hugh laughed; and then he asked whether Jane was not now as useful as Susan. "Perhaps she is," replied his mother; "and the more she learns and does, and the more she becomes my friend,--the more I respect her: but it is impossible to love her more than I did before she could speak or walk. There is some objection in your mind still, my dear. What is it?" "It makes us of so much consequence,--so much more than I ever thought of,--that the minds of grown people should be busy about us."