'I am indebted to none for my maintenance; I am free, and my own mistress; I neglect no duty by refusing to live under Uncle Brian's roof; no one wants me; I contribute to no one's happiness.' 'Except to Jill's,' observed Uncle Max.
'Jill! but she is only a child, barely sixteen, and Sara is becoming jealous of my influence.

I shall only breed dissension in the household if I remain.

Uncle Max, you are a good man,--a clergyman; you cannot conscientiously tell me that I am not free to lead my own life, to choose my own work in the world.' 'Perhaps not,' he replied, in a hesitating voice.

'But the scheme is a peculiar one.

You wish me to find respectable lodgings in my parish, where you will be independent and free from supervision, and to place your superfluous health and strength--you are a muscular Christian, Ursula--at the service of my sick poor, and for this post you have previously trained yourself.' 'I think it will be a good sort of life,' I returned carelessly, but how my heart was beating! 'I like it so much, and I should like to be near you, Uncle Max, and work under you as my vicar.