PUT THEM INTO WORDS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 19, 14 May 1908, Page 37

PUT THEM INTO WORDS

Every Saturday morning Daphne and Marjorie Haxcourt — two little sisters — were assigned a certain amount of work to do by their mother, and each was expected tO do her shaie. One Saturday their grandmother came and iaviLed Daphne, who was the elder, to go for a drive through the park, saying that she would like to take Marjor'ie the following week. ' Oh, that will bo lovely ! ' the latver cried delightedly, no selfish thought marring her pleasure that she was not the first to be incited. ' I will do your share of work, Daphne, while . you are away, because we want to go together .to Polly's this aiternoon, you koiow.' It was almost lunch-hour when Daphne returned home, and Marjorie ran to meet her eagerly. ' I've straightened our room and dusted the chairs and table and fed Gyp and cleaned his cago a)nd watered the plants, and everything is finished ! ' she cried in a breath. 1 Thank you,' Daphne said carelessly ; adding in a different tonei. ' Oh, such a lovely, lovely ride as I've had ! ' The girls' mother was standing near, and she could not helping noticing the expectant, almost wistful look en Marjories face, which quickly faded into one of disappointment while her sister spoke. And a Tittle later Mrs. Harcourt said when Daphne and she were alone : 'My dear, did you not think it very kind of Marjorie to do your work for you tMs morning. during your absence ? ' ' Yes, mamma, I did,' was the prompt answer. 'Why do you ask me that ? ' ' Because I have been thinking how pleased your sister would have been if you had said so to her upon your arrival home when she told you what she had done. Perhaps she felt a little disappointed that you did not, although she is too unselfish to say so. You kiiow, you both like me to tell you when I am pleased with what you have done, and I think if , you had said to Marjorie, " Thank you ; it was very kind of you to do my share, and you have done it so nicely ! " she would have felt more than repaid. Another time you will think of this, Daphm.e.' 1 Yes, mamma, I will, 1 the latter said humbly. ' I did) think it nice of Marjorie, but I thought she would know I did, without hearing me say so.' ' I am sure you did, but. sometimes it is kindest to put one's nice thoughts into words,' Mrs. Harcourt replied. ' A Tittle merited praise, a loving word of commendation, does so help, to keep folks sweet, particularly small folks, and \t takes them long to do. and foe their best.' • When the two sisters were walking to Polly Smith's in the afternoon, Daphne said : 'I tihinjk it w\as kind of you to do my work \this morning, Marjorie, and you did it so well ! ' •Do you tMnk so ? I was hoping you would. Oh,

I'm so glad!" Marjorie answered impulsively,- her eyes shining with pleasure. And them Daphiie knew that her mother was right.