"You do not think so," said mamma, "or you would be there."
"I am selfish, and have selfish hopes and fears. But you think
so?"
"Let us hear what you consider the worthiest object of life,"
said mamma.
"It is not my turn. Miss Randolph, your mother has spoken -
the next honour belongs to you."
"The worthiest object of life?" I said. "Is that the
question?"
"It will not be a question, when you have answered it," De
Saussure said gallantly.
"You will not like my answer," I said. "I should think it
would be, To please God."
"But that is not an answer, pardon me. Of course, the Supreme
Being is pleased to see people following the worthiest object;
and the question is, What is the worthiest?"
I did not like to hear Mr. De Saussure's tongue touch themes
where it was not at home. The conversation was too serious for
light handling; but I could not get out of it.
"You will find that my answer includes all," I said. "It is
impossible to lay down a rule, as to particulars, that will
fit all cases. It is the best thing one man can do, to lay
down his life for his country; the best thing another man can
do is to stay at home and devote himself to the care of an
infirm mother or father; but in either case, for God."
"I do not understand -" said Mr. Marshall.
"Suppose the one goes to the battlefield for his own glory,
and the other stays at home for his own ease?"
"Don't you think glory is a thing to live for?" said Ransom,
with an indignant expression that reminded me painfully of our
childish days.
"Yes," I said slowly, - "I do; but not the praise of men,
which is so often mistaken. The glory that comes from God, -
that is worth living for."
"What an incomprehensible girl you are!" Ransom answered
impatiently.
"She'll mend -" said mamma.
"But, Miss Randolph," said Mr. Marshall, "the care of infirm
relatives, a father or a mother, can anything make that
unworthy?"
"Not in itself," I said; "but suppose a man's duty calls him
away? It might. You can suppose such a case."
"I see what I have to expect," mamma said with a laugh. "Daisy
will take care of me, until some duty calls her away. I will
not count upon you, Daisy, any longer than that. De Saussure,
what is your estimate of life's objects? On honour, now!"
"I can think of nothing better than to live for somebody that
one loves," he said.
"I knew you would say that," she rejoined. "Hugh, what do you
say?"
"I need to go to school, Mrs. Randolph."
"Well, go to school to Daisy," said mamma with another light
laugh. "And come, let us walk, or we shall not have time.
EugŠne Sue, is it, that we are going to see?"