"And that will be sixpence a-piece, you know," continued Annie, "and we
can change it to a silver piece, for fear we might drop a penny by the
way."
"Oh, how nice that will be," cried Charlotte. "Do you think many of the
girls will put in as much? I hope, at any rate, that none will put in
any more."
Then, thanking Annie, she ran home, leaving her friend not a little
puzzled to know why Charlotte should wish to make a show.
The difference between the little girls was this; Charlotte only sought
to please others from a selfish feeling to obtain praise, while Annie
had been taught that God is the searcher of all hearts, and to please
him should be our first and only aim.
The next morning Annie was up bright and early, and it seemed to her
that the wool was never so free from knots before. After she had said
her prayers in the morning, and read a chapter with her mother, the
little girl ate her frugal breakfast, and seated herself at her work,
and so nimbly did she ply the cards, that her task was accomplished full
half an hour before the usual time. She was just beginning her own pile
when Charlotte came in; they sat down together, and worked away
diligently. Charlotte said that her mother laughed at her, but told her
she might do as she pleased, for it was something new for her to prefer
work to play, and availing herself of this permission she came.
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