There are
some, dear Sister Argalls, who think that the rich widow who is
most liberal in the endowment of the goods that Providence has
intrusted to her hands claims therefore to be exempt from labor in
the Christian vineyard. Let us teach them how unjust they are."
"I am willing," said the lady, with a dry, determined air. "I
suppose these patients are not professedly bad characters?"
"By no means. A few, perhaps; but the majority are unfortunates--
dependent either upon public charity or some small provision made
by their friends."
"Very well."
"And you understand that though they have the privilege of
rejecting your Christian ministrations, dear Sister Argalls, you
are free to judge when you may be patient or importunate with
them?"
"I understand."
The Pastor was not an unkindly man, and, as he glanced at the
uncompromising look in Mrs. Argalls's eyes, felt for a moment some
inconsistency between his humane instincts and his Christian duty.
"Some of them may require, and be benefited by, a stern monitress,
and Sister Robbins, I fear, was weak," he said consolingly to
himself, as he descended the steps again.
At three o'clock Mrs. Argalls, with a reticule and a few tracts,
was at the door of St.
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