Silver linings

WILHELMINA STITCH
AUTHOR OF THE FRAGRANT MINUTE, SILKEN THREADS THE GOLDEN WEB, JOY'S LOOM WHERE SUNLIGHT FALLS, ETC.
FOURTH EDITION
METHUEN & CO. LTD. 36 ESSEX STREET W.C. LONDON
First Published ... February 23d 1928 Second Edition ... April 1928 Third Edition ... January 1929 Fourth Edition ... 1929
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
CONTENTS
How many lovely things there be! The ever-changing, restless sea; the gracious, friendly, shady tree; and children laughing in their glee. How many lovely things there are! The glowing, beaming, friendly star, the garden gate that stands ajar, the sound of Church bells from afar. How many lovely things I know! Stories of lovers long ago, and places where the lilies blow, and children's voices sweet and low. What lovely things have touched my heart—see how the waves caress and part, and watch pale Dawn from Night upstart and slip into her mystic mart. What lovely things my ears have heard: the thrilling song of happy bird, a horse by anxious lover spurred, a toddler's sweetly lisped first word. What lovely things my eyes have seen: snow-covered hills and fields of green, and silks of wondrous weave and sheen—and Baby's toothless smile serene!
You cannot sing? Well, others can. You do not dance? but others do. And ever since the world began there have been certain folk like you who cannot dance, and cannot sing, nor weave a play nor write a book. But you can sew? Most anything? And are quite expert as a cook? And you can draw a little bit, amuse your friends with pen and ink? You make folk laugh—this you admit. You have a lot of gifts, I think. Oh, foolish one, to sigh and fret because you're not as some folk are. Suppose a plant of mignonette withered because 'twas not a star! Be what you are, dear girl, with pride. Accept your limits with good grace; the world is varied, very wide; for each of us there is a place. Within your sphere be quite content, be proud of work that is your own, and to life's complex instrument with sweetness add your mite of tone.