Christie Redferns Troubles | Page 8

any one to milk her half so well as
me."
"She'll let me milk her to-night, though," said Effie, removing her cuffs
and turning up her sleeves.
"You'll spoil your pretty frock," said Christie, doubtfully.
"There's no fear. I'll take care. Give me the stool."
Christie hesitated.
"But there's Blackie and Brownie to do yet--unless you would rather

milk Fleckie."
"I would rather milk them all," said Effie. "I'm sure, child, you look as
though you had had enough of it for one day."
"Oh, no; I expected to milk them all. I'm not very tired."
Christie ran for another stool, and seated herself beside her favourite.
She was quite near her sister, too; and they went on talking.
"I suppose this was churning-day?" said Effie.
"No; we churned yesterday, and we'll churn again to-morrow. It's
harder, and takes longer, now that the nights have got cooler. But the
butter is beautiful. We have the two tubs full, and we put the last we
made in a jar. I'll show it to you when we go in."
"I suppose Annie and Sarah have but little time to help you now? No
wonder you are tired," said Effie.
"No; they cannot help us except on a rainy day. But I never churn alone.
Aunt Elsie helps me. It took us three hours last time."
"I shouldna wonder if that is the reason that Aunt Elsie's shoulder is
worse," said Effie, with a sigh.
"Is it worse?" asked Christie. "She has said nothing about it."
"No; she says there is no use in complaining. But I do hope she is not
going to be ill, as she was before. It would be terrible for us all."
"I hope not, indeed," said Christie; and in a moment she added, "You
would need to bide at home then, Effie."
Effie shook her head.
"No; I should need all the more to be away if that were to happen. What
should we all do for shoes, if it werena for my school-money?"

Christie's countenance fell; but in a little time she said--
"But the harvest is a great deal better this year, Effie."
"Yes; but there winna be much to sell. If we don't have to buy, it will
be a great thing for us. And the shoes we must have, and new harness,
and other things. I mustna think of staying this winter, I'm sure,
Christie."
Christie gave a long sigh, as she rose with her full pail.
"I wish I was old enough and able to keep a school, or do something!"
"Do something!" echoed Effie. "I'm sure you do a great deal. Think of
the butter! And you've made bread all the summer, and swept, and
ironed, and washed the dishes."
"But all that comes to very little," said Christie, disconsolately.
"Indeed it does--to more than my school-keeping, I dare say. And I'm
sure it's far pleasanter work."
"Pleasanter!" repeated Christie; and there was such a protesting echo in
her voice that Effie could not help laughing; but she said, again--
"Yes, pleasanter. Don't you think it must be far nicer to be at home with
all the rest, than to stay among folk that don't care about you, and have
to bear your trouble alone?"
Christie opened her eyes wide.
"But, Effie, folk do care about you. And what troubles can you have to
bear?"
Effie laughed softly; but she looked grave immediately.
"Well, I havena so many as I might have, I suppose."
"I'm sure if I were you I should be perfectly happy," said Christie.

"That's only one of the mistakes you have fallen into," said Effie,
gravely. "Do you remember the story of the burdens, and how every
one was willing to take up his own at last?"
Nothing in the world would have convinced Christie that her sister's lot
was not much pleasanter than her own; and she said to herself, how
gladly she would change burdens with her! but aloud she only asked--
"Has anything new happened? What's troubling you, Effie?"
"Oh, nothing has happened," said Effie, cheerfully. "I'm getting on well.
The worst of my troubles are those I find at home--Aunt Elsie's
rheumatism, and your pale, tired face, and the wearing out of the
children's clothes. And you have all these too: so I dare say my burden
is the lightest, after all. Now let me see your butter."
It was well worth seeing. There was one tub made when the weather
had been warm, and, for that reason, was pronounced by Christie not
quite so good. Then there was a large one, with over a hundred and
twenty pounds in it--so hard, and yellow, and fragrant! Christie was not
a little proud of it; and Effie praised it to her heart's content. There was
no better