Such an one has just
strayed into the fold from the dreary hill-country. It needs a wiser
shepherd than any one of us. Grant that by gentleness, patience, and
insight we may atone somewhat for our lack of wisdom and skill. We
read among Thy mysteries that the divine Child was born of a virgin.
May He be born again and born daily in our hearts, already touched by
that remembrance and consecrated by its meaning. And this we ask for
love's sake. Amen.'
Then there was a space of silence--one of those silences in which we
seem to be caught up into the heart of things, when hidden meanings
are revealed, when the soul stretches itself and grows a little.
It was a few minutes later when Rhoda said, 'I am fired with zeal, I
confess it. Henceforth my single aim shall be to bring Marm Lisa
into her lost kingdom and inheritance. But meanwhile, how, oh how
shall I master the hateful preliminaries? How shall I teach her to
lace her shoes and keep them laced, unless I invent a game for it?
How shall I keep her hair from dangling in her eyes, how keep her
aprons neat?--though in those respects she is no worse than Pacific
Simonson. I promised her a doll yesterday, and she was remarkably
good. Do you object, Mistress Mary?'
'I don't know how much rewards are used in these cases,' answered
Mary, 'but why do you begin with them when the problem presents no
insuperable difficulties as yet? Whenever she herself, her awkward
hands, her weak will, her inattention, her restlessness, give her
some task she likes, some pleasure or occupation for which she has
shown decided preference, and thus make happiness follow close upon
the heels of effort.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61