In the order of nature the ideal precedes the actual. In back-woods phrase, “The wind-work must precede the ground-work.” “The ascent of life is the ascent of ideals.” Ascent means action, change, involving effort, struggle, aspiration. Aspiration implies or pre-supposes DISCONTENT.
The author of the story, “Hilda’s Home,” preaches the gospel of discontent—dissatisfaction with the old, desire for the new. With Ella Wheeler she says,
Be not content; contentment means inaction—
The growing soul aches on its upward quest.
Satiety is kin to satisfaction—
All great achievements spring from life’s unrest.
The tiny root, deep in the dark mould hiding,
Would never bless the earth with leaf and flower,
Were not an inborn restlessness abiding
In seed and germ to stir them with its power.