The Fairy Godmothers. 41

“¢ Why, as you are fo fortunate as to be always
happy when employed, and as therefore there is
no goodne/s ftriétly fpeaking, in your doing your
bufinefs fo cheerfully and well, you muft do this,
you muft fpend fome portion of time every day
in making your energy of ufe to other people, and
then you will be doing active good if not practifing
felf-denial.”

“ Oh, Mamma, what a nice idea ! Perhaps
you will give me fome needlework to do for the
poor women you give money to ; and, befides,
juft now I can do fomething actively ufeful and
{till a little really difagreeable,—really it is, Mam-
ma,—what makes you laugh!”

“ Your refolution to do fomething you don’t
like. What is it, Hermione ?”’

“© To knit up again the ftocking the cat pulled
out. I quite diflike the idea.”

“ Then fet to work by all means, Hermione.
You will at leaft have the comfort of ‘ beginning
by a little averfion ;’ but I warn you beforehand,
not to fet your heart upon the difagreeablenefs laft-
ing very long, and if you find yourfelf fhortly, as
happy as ever over the ftocking, do not be puz-
zled and vexed any more, but thank God as I do,
that, fo far at leaft, you are {pared one of the trou-
bles of life. The trouble of an indolent, difcon-
tented mind.”

An affectionate embrace was exchanged be-
tween Mother and Daughter ;. and the latter, with