“Yes,” said Jasper, “the table with the splendid big drawer. Shall I take them down now?”
“No, wait a minute or two till I have emptied this last trunk. You may unwrap all those things and then we can throw away the paper.”
“Auntie,” said Jasper, while he worked away busily, “will the glowin’ plants come soon? I do so want them, ’cos you see they won’t wither,” and he sighed. “Roots is funny things—when I was very little I thought flowers would grow wifout roots, just the same.”
“And now you know better,” said his aunt with a smile. “Boots are very wonderful things—not only plant roots. We need them in our characters too.” Jasper looked puzzled. His dream was in his mind, though he was too shy to tell it.
“You see,” Miss Fortescue went on, “it is like this. We should do things because we feel we ought, not just because we’re inclined. Being kind to each other, for instance, when we are feeling good-humoured and pleasant is all very well, but we need more than that. We need to be kind even when we are feeling cross or tired, or even when others are unkind to us, because it is right. Passing feelings are like plucked flowers—what are called good principles are like plants with roots.”
Jasper’s face lighted up.
“And then being good grows,” he said.
“Yes, indeed,” said Aunt Margaret, almost startled by his quickness. “Still it needs care. Watching, and above all, praying to God to help us—that is like the refreshing, nourishing water that plants need if they are to grow and prosper.”
Jasper gave a deep sigh of satisfaction.