Fay began to send boxes of primroses to hospitals, to knit stockings for orphans, to fatigue herself with enormous walks over the downs with illustrated papers for the Saundersfoot work-house.
It was inevitable at this juncture that she should feel some shocked surprise at the supineness of those around her.

Her altruistic efforts were practically single-handed.

She had hoped that when she inaugurated them, Magdalen at any rate would have followed suit, would have worked cheerfully under her direction.

But Magdalen, whose serene cheerfulness had flagged of late, fell painfully below her sister's expectation.

Fay came to the conclusion that it was more lack of imagination than callousness on her sister's part which held her back.
Many careworn souls besides Fay have discovered that the irritable exhaustion, the continual ache of egotism can be temporarily relieved by taking an inexpensive interest in others.