"That's all very well for a bird; but we have to _do_," replied her mother sharply.
"We have to _do_ what God _thinks_, though," returned Marjorie quickly.
"Child, you are your father all over again; he always wanted to wait and see; but mine was the faith that acted."
"But now can we act, until we wait and see?" persisted Marjorie. "I want to be sure that God means for us to do things."
"Many a thing wouldn't have happened if I hadn't pushed through--why, your father would have been willing for Linnet to be engaged years and years."
A week later, one afternoon towards dusk, Marjorie was walking home from her grandfather's. Her happy face was shaded by a brown straw hat, her hands were sunburned, and her fingers were scratched with numerous berrying expeditions. There was a deepened color in the roundness of her cheeks; she was a country maiden this afternoon, swinging an empty basket in her hand. She was humming to herself as she walked along, hurrying her steps a little as she remembered that it was the mail for her long, foreign letter. This afternoon she was as happy as she wanted to be. Within half a mile of home she espied a tall figure coming towards her,--a figure in a long linen duster, wearing a gray, low-crowned, felt hat. After an instant she recognized Hollis and remembered that to-day he was expected home. She had not thought of it all day.
"Your mother sent me to meet you," he said, without formal greeting. Instantly she detected a change in his manner towards her; it was as easy as if he were speaking to Linnet.
"Do you remember our walk together from your grandfather's--how many years ago?"
"When I appealed to your sympathies and enlisted you in my behalf?"
"You were in trouble, weren't you? I believe it is just seven years ago."
"Physiologists tell us we are made over new every seven years, therefore you and I are another Hollis and another Marjorie."
"I hope I am another Hollis," he answered gravely.
"And I am _sure_ I am another Marjorie," she said more lightly. "How you lectured me then!"
"You lectured me. I never forgot it. From that hour I wanted to be like your cousin Helen."
"You do not need to copy any one. I like you best as yourself."
"No; I do not know you; but I want to know you."