Alice from New York. It is a great trial to a teacher to have whispering girls in her school. I know how your teacher will rejoice that you have chosen to break yourself of that habit. I suspect you will find it hard to do. Don't get discouraged.
Chauncy from Massachusetts. Another boy with a temper! As soon as I get time, I am going to count the number of boys in the P. S. who have already taken that pledge. Then I shall know the number who are sure to be better men than they would have been without that resolve.
Mary from Nebraska. I wish you had given me the name of the fault, my dear Blossom. I could so much better understand what your temptations are, and perhaps be able to help you. Still, you are welcome to all the privileges of the P. S. Will you let us hear how you succeed?
Oscar from Pennsylvania. That is right, my boy. "By-words," beside being senseless things, are very apt as you say, to lead one at last into using profane by-words. I heard an old man who was trying hard to break himself of that dreadful habit, say that he began by constantly using the by-word, "My goodness!" until the time came when it did not seem to be strong enough to express his feelings, and he took a worse form of the same sin.
Minnie from Pennsylvania. Another "dreamer." "I dreamed I was a great merchant," said a boy to his father, one morning. "Well, you will never be one," said his father, "for you will spend your time sitting and dreaming how nice it would be if you were somebody, instead of setting to work with a will, and being somebody."
This habit of talking about others is one very easily formed. If we would always say good and sweet things of them, I suppose it would do no harm. Did you ever hear of the dear old lady who was in the habit of always saying something good about every one who was mentioned in her hearing? One day, a daughter said of her, "I believe mother would find something good to say about Satan himself, if we should try it." So they agreed to try the experiment, and when their mother entered the room they were talking about how he tempted people constantly to do wrong. "Yes," said the dear mother, "I have often thought we might learn a lesson from his perseverance. He doesn't waste any time!" As to wearing the badge, you must be your own judge of when. Some of the Pansies only wear them at their weekly meetings; others wear them when they think there is a reason that they will be specially tempted to break the pledge. Others wear them all the time, and when they are soiled, send ten cents to have them renewed.
Mary from Kentucky. How sorry I am for your disappointment! I do not know how it happened. We always attend to the badges as soon as the letters come. But about answers to letters, sometimes the poor little Blossoms have to wait until I am afraid they will almost wilt in their impatience! You see there are so many thousands of them, that, try as hard as I can, it is impossible to keep "caught up." We must each take a pledge of patience, and try to live up to it.
Annie from Massachusetts. That is good news. It is a great joy to me to hear from my Pansies that their badges are really helping them. A great many forget to tell me anything about it. I hope you will have a very pleasant visit. When you lie in your hammock under the trees, looking up into the blue sky, I hope you will have sweet and helpful thoughts.
Nellie from Pennsylvania. My dear, your pretty things that you make for those who have none, are to be sent wherever you please. Some of the Pansies send them to the great cities, in all of which there are hospitals for the sick poor children who have no parents to take care of them. Some select homes in their own town where they think their gifts would do good, and send them there. If you have anything to send, you might select the city nearest you, and address the package to the matron of the Children's Hospital, sending a letter of explanation with it.
Julia from Virginia. We are glad that you find so much pleasure in The Pansy. Hope you will succeed with your "club." It is those who try who are always the successful ones. I congratulate the "teeth." I know they are shining over their good fortune at this moment.