I 'll come and see it when you are ready . ' ` Will you ? Oh ! will you ? We are going to have some at Christmas , with a nice part for me . A simple little thing , but I can do it , and should be so proud , so happy to have you there . ' Josie rose as she spoke , for a glance at the clock showed her that her call was a long one ; and hard as it was to end this momentous interview , she felt that she must go . Catching up her hat she went to Miss Cameron , who stood looking at her so keenly that she felt as transparent as a pane of glass , and coloured prettily as she looked up , saying , with a grateful little tremor in her voice : ' I can never thank you for this hour and all you have told me . I shall do just what you advise , and mamma will be very glad to see me settled at my books again . I can study now with all my heart , because it is to help me on ; and I wo n't hope too much , but work and wait , and try to please you , as the only way to pay my debt . ' ` That reminds me that I have not paid mine . Little friend , wear this for my sake . It is fit for a mermaid , and will remind you of your first dive . May the next bring up a better jewel , and leave no bitter water on your lips ! ' As she spoke , Miss Cameron took from the lace at her throat a pretty pin of aquamarine , and fastened it like an order on Josie 's proud bosom ; then lifting the happy little face , she kissed it very tenderly , and watched it go smiling away with eyes that seemed to see into a future full of the trials and the triumphs which she knew so well . Bess expected to see Josie come flying in , all raptures and excitement , or drowned in tears of disappointment , but was surprised at the expression of calm content and resolution which she wore . Pride and satisfaction , and a new feeling of responsibility both sobered and sustained her , and she felt that any amount of dry study and long waiting would be bearable , if in the glorious future she could be an honour to her profession and a comrade to the new friend whom she already adored with girlish ardour . She told her little story to a deeply interested audience , and all felt that Miss Cameron 's advice was good . Mrs Amy was relieved at the prospect of delay ; for she did not want her niece to be an actress and hoped the fancy would die out . Uncle Laurie was full of charming plans and prophecies and wrote one of his most delightful notes to thank their neighbour for her kindness ; while Bess , who loved art of all kinds , fully sympathized with her cousin 's ambitious hopes , only wondering why she preferred to act out her visions rather than embody them in marble .
That XXXXX interview was not the last ; for Miss Cameron was really interested , and had several memorable conversations with the Laurences , while the girls sat by , drinking in every word with the delight all artists feel in their own beautiful world , and learning to see how sacred good gifts are , how powerful , and how faithfully they should be used for high ends , each in its own place helping to educate , refine , and refresh .
Amy Bess Cameron Josie Laurie aquamarine ardour drowned first neighbour