"
In the Bensons' house there was the same unconsciousness of
individual merit, the same absence of introspection and analysis
of motive, as there had been in her mother; but it seemed that
their lives were pure and good, not merely from a lovely and
beautiful nature, but from some law, the obedience to which was,
of itself, harmonious peace, and which governed them almost
implicitly, and with as little questioning on their part, as the
glorious stars which haste not, rest not, in their eternal
obedience. This household had many failings: they were but human,
and, with all their loving desire to bring their lives into
harmony with the will of God, they often erred and fell short;
but, somehow, the very errors and faults of one individual served
to call out higher excellences in another, and so they reacted
upon each other, and the result of short discords was exceeding
harmony and peace. But they had themselves no idea of the real
state of things; they did not trouble themselves with marking
their progress by self-examination; if Mr. Benson did sometimes,
in hours of sick incapacity for exertion, turn inwards, it was to
cry aloud with almost morbid despair, "God be merciful to me a
sinner!" But he strove to leave his life in the hands of God, and
to forget himself.
Ruth sat still and quiet through the long first day. She was
languid and weary from her journey; she was uncertain what help
she might offer to give in the household duties, and what she
might not.
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