Hollowmell | Page 5

had had the houses built on the most approved principles,
with every sort of convenience and facility for the promotion of health
and order, and yet when he took a party of gentleman down to the pit
last week, he was utterly ashamed to observe the squalor and misery of
the place. He said that some of the worst slums of London could hardly
be worse, except in the matter of light and air, and even these the
people seemed to be doing their best to exclude, judging from the dust
covered and tightly closed windows. It just occurred to me while he

was speaking that perhaps I might be able to do something to remedy
this terrible state of affairs. I am sure papa would be glad to do
anything to help us. I have not said anything to him about it till I should
hear your verdict, and because I haven't the least shadow of an idea
what plan would be best to go upon. What do you think of it?"
"I think it will be a very difficult matter, and will require a great deal of
consideration," replied Mabel thoughtfully.
"But you don't think it impossible or impracticable?" inquired Minnie,
anxiously.
"Impossible?--no," replied she, "But do you think our hands will be
strong enough, and our hearts stout enough for such an undertaking. It
is not a thing we may take up to amuse ourselves with for a moment,
and throw down when we are tired of it."
"O, there's no fear of you doing that with anything, and as for me, I
must strike while the iron is hot. You know how new impressions wear
off with me, and if I don't get into some work of this kind at once, I am
afraid I'll get cool. I don't mean that I fear going back to where I was,
but I am not like you, I haven't lived in it all my life, and I need
something to keep up my interest. It's so with me in everything else,
and I am sure it won't be different in this case, because of course my
nature won't change, although my heart has. But that is not all; during
these few weeks I have been living just in a sort of trance--that is, every
moment I've been alone, content to dream all the time of how good God
had been to me, but just the night before papa spoke about those people,
it suddenly occurred to me that I must do something to help others, to
find out how good He would be to them if they would only let Him. It
seemed dreadfully selfish to sit still and drink in that wonderful
happiness, without offering some of it to others when there are
thousands dying for a drop of it. So when papa spoke about the miners
down at Hollowmell, it struck me that here was work just ready for
me."
She stopped, a little out of breath, and waited to hear what Mabel
would say.

"Well, it does seem," said Mabel, beginning at the same time to put on
her jacket and hat, "It does seem as if it was intended you should take
this in hand; but don't let us do anything rashly. Let us think it over
carefully for a week, and if we come to the conclusion that it would not
be too much for us, let us begin operations then."
"O, Mab!" cried Minnie in dismay, "How calmly you talk of putting it
off. Why, my hands are just aching to get to work, and then, what's the
use of considering whether or not it will be too much for us; no amount
of consideration will convince us as one attempt will, and of what use
is our faith if we cannot make a practical use of it?"
"Perhaps I am over cautious," Mabel admitted, "but let us take at least
till Saturday to make up our minds as to the best way of going to work,
as you have already confessed you have not yet thought of a plan."
"Very well," agreed Minnie, kissing Mabel warmly as she bade her
good-night, "Not a word more till Saturday, when we shall have time
enough to give the subject the attention it requires. Good-night."
"Good-night," returned Mabel, as she ran lightly down the steps, and
was soon lost in the gathering darkness.
CHAPTER II.
ITS DEVELOPMENT.
Next day there was much open wonder expressed concerning the
absence of any of the little bursts of excitement with which Mona
Cameron and Minnie Kimberley were wont to refresh the pupils of
Miss Marsden's Seminary for young Ladies. Some were even heard
expressing disappointment with the novel arrangement, and Mona, who
seemed as utterly at a loss to