Page:The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Wilbur).djvu/201

Rh However, the thoughts of serving a woman who held long conversations daily with her husband and otherwise occupied herself with writing aroused in Mrs. Crafts a jealousy which was only increased as the days drifted by and the life they all lived was shown to be without blame. There was no ground for reproach, but Mrs. Crafts found a fault expressed in the statement, “She carried herself above folks.” Her jealousy may be regarded as natural by many, but it was certainly unfortunate in that it presently cut off the development of her husband’s work, and broke the continuity of Mary Baker’s.

But Mary Baker was finding out an invaluable secret. She was learning to pursue her work unmindful of petty disturbance. She seems to have mentally registered a vow, or engraved it upon her heart, “This one thing I do.” She was searching the Scripture, keeping aloof from society, and devoting time and energy to discovering a positive rule of healing. It must be remembered that she was finding the task “sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing.” She was winning her way to absolute conclusions through reason and demonstration. The revelation in her understanding was coming to her gradually. This was the test of experience.

After a winter of such work as was thought necessary to prepare Hiram Crafts to practise mental healing, the family removed to the neighboring town of Taunton. East Stoughton, where they had passed the winter, is now called Avon and is sixteen miles directly South of Boston. Taunton is still further