"That is, you analyzed first what it was you really wanted to do." "Exactly; and I discovered two things: first, that I didn’t want anything half so much as to help—I’ve told you that before—unless it was the happiness of the people to whom I was nearest. I found, too, that if I began at the beginning and followed the line of least resistance I’d get farther in the end. Up to that time I’d begun in the middle, and so could get neither backward nor forward, as I used to complain to you." Having thought this over, I said: "You’re fortunate in having the people to whom you’re nearest close enough to you for—for daily intercourse and influence." There was distinct significance in her response. "Perhaps I’m fortunate in never having turned my back on them as long as they were in need of me. Do you remember how I used to want a home of my own? Well, something kept me at least from _that_. Whenever I came face to face with doing what I’ve felt free to do at last, there was always a second thought that held me back. If Boyd and Lulu had had children it would have been different. But Lulu didn’t want any till—till lately, and so I felt that something was needed to ease the grinding of the wheels between them. I did recognize that. But now that they’ve got the little boy—" "Got a little boy?" I said, in astonishment. "Why, yes. Didn’t any one tell you? Two weeks old to-day, and such a darling! One day he looks like Lulu, and the next like Boyd, and they’re both as happy as two children. That’s why I’ve felt free to be my own mistress, to this extent, at least. Things do work out, you know, if you’ll only give them half a chance, and stop fretting. That’s another thing," she smiled; "it came to me one day in church when they were reading the Psalms, though I’d often heard the words before without paying them attention. ’_Fret not thyself, else shalt thou be moved to do evil_.’ I suppose people worried three thousand years ago just as we do to-day; and had to be told not to. Well, I’ve tried not to _fret myself_, and I’ve got on, oh, so much better." She was so serene that as I passed my cup for more tea I ventured on something from which otherwise I should have shrunk: "I’m a little surprised that in your analysis of the things you really wanted you’ve forgotten the one most people crave for first." She took this with her customary simple directness.