`` Be you a teacher ? or have you a ` perfessun , ' as they call a trade nowadays ? '' asked the old lady in a tone of kindly interest , which prevented a laugh at the idea of Emily 's being anything but a beauty and a belle . The others kept their countenances with difficulty , and she answered demurely , -- `` I have no trade as yet , but I dare say I should be happier if I had . '' `` Not a doubt o n't , my dear . '' `` What would you recommend , ma'am ? '' `` I should say dressmakin ' was rather in your line , ai n't it ? Your clothes is dreadful tasty , and do you credit if you made 'em yourself . '' and Aunt Plumy surveyed with feminine interest the simple elegance of the travelling dress which was the masterpiece of a French modiste . `` No , ma'am , I do n't make my own things , I 'm too lazy . It takes so much time and trouble to select them that I have only strength left to wear them . '' `` Housekeepin ' used to be the favorite perfessun in my day . It ai n't fashionable now , but it needs a sight of trainin ' to be perfect in all that 's required , and I 've an idee it would be a sight healthier and usefuller than the paintin ' and music and fancy work young women do nowadays . '' `` But every one wants some beauty in their lives , and each one has a different sphere to fill , if one can only find it . '' '' ` Pears to me there 's no call for so much art when nater is full of beauty for them that can see and love it . As for ` spears ' and so on , I 've a notion if each of us did up our own little chores smart and thorough we need n't go wanderin ' round to set the world to rights . That 's the Lord 's job , and I presume to say He can do it without any advice of ourn . '' Something in the homely but true words seemed to rebuke the three listeners for wasted lives , and for a moment there was no sound but the crackle of the fire , the brisk click of the old lady 's knitting needles , and Ruth 's voice singing overhead as she made ready to join the party below . `` To judge by that sweet sound you have done one of your ` chores ' very beautifully , Mrs. Basset , and in spite of the follies of our day , succeeded in keeping one girl healthy , happy and unspoiled , '' said Emily , looking up into the peaceful old face with her own lovely one full of respect and envy . `` I do hope so , for she 's my ewe lamb , the last of four dear little girls ; all the rest are in the burying ground ` side of father .
I do n't expect to keep her long , and do n't ought to regret when I lose her , for Saul is the best of sons ; but daughters is more to mothers somehow , and I always yearn over girls that is XXXXX without a broodin ' wing to keep 'em safe and warm in this world of tribulation . ''
Plumy fire left modiste ourn paintin spears trainin usefuller wanderin