"
"Yes, I know. That is why I did it," Mary said. "And I am happy in your
happiness, Ethel darling."
"But I am afraid it is rather irksome for you, living so long with your
sister and brother-in-law, although they are so well off," Ethel
remarked, after a while.
"That is a small matter in comparison," Mary said lightly. "And I am so
happy about you, Ethel, your mother will be so pleased."
It seemed to Mary afterwards, when she left Ethel and went by express to
York, where she took a slow train to the little station on the moors
near her sister's home, that her heart was as light and happy as if she
had received a great gift instead of surrendering an advantage. Truly
it is more blessed to give than to receive, for there is no joy so pure
as "the joy of doing kindnesse."
But on her arrival at the house which had been her home since her
parents died, she found herself being severely blamed for what she had
done.
In vain Mary reminded her sister that she was not exactly poor, and
certainly not dependent upon her. Their father had left a very moderate
income to both his daughters, Hetty the elder, who had married Dr.
Croft, a country practitioner, and Mary, who, as a sensible modern young
woman, determined to have a vocation, and go in for the up-to-date work
of teaching physical culture.
Finding she could make no impression upon her sister, Mrs. Croft
privately exhorted her husband to speak to Mary about the disputed
point.
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