Minnie from Kansas. I don't like to be teased; do you? I'm sure I hear you say, "No, ma'am." Then, according to the Golden Rule, you and I ought not to tease other people; and I am glad you have resolved not to do so. As to the finger-nails, of course they do not like to be bitten. Only three Pansy Blossoms in your city? Why, that is too bad! Can't you plant some more?
Florence from Missouri. Give my love to my namesake, the dolly; though I am afraid she will care nothing about it. After all, I don't know how many cats you have, though you undertook to tell me. Can you guess why I do not know? Please try.
Minnie from Connecticut. Your letter was not at all "silly," my little friend, but we only publish in The Pansy those letters that give interesting stories about people or animals, or places; something which will interest all. You know one doesn't like to publish one's personal letters for others to read. I hope you will have your wish and "change into a very good girl." In fact, I know you will, if you wish it enough to keep daily trying, and trust in the great Helper.
Maggie from Kentucky. How glad I am that we have another Blossom who has resolved to guard her lips from the use of slang words! Think of a flower speaking in any but sweet and refined language! Who would want to make bouquets of flowers whose breaths were impure?
Alma from Kentucky. You have taken a very important pledge. There is hardly another so important. I hope every Pansy in our garden will be a brave earnest worker for temperance; by which I mean the sort of total abstinence which determines to "touch not, taste not, handle not."
Mollie from Kentucky. How much I should like to hear that your pledge had helped you to be present in Sabbath-school each Sabbath this year! Wouldn't that be pleasant? But there are some absences over which we have no control, are there not? Well, suppose we put it, each Sabbath that you are not detained by sickness, or by some cause which you could not help? Then let us hear at the close of the year, what success you have had.
Lizzie from Illinois. It is pleasant to hear of an entire class joining the P. S. You can be helpful to one another. "In a minute" is a very bad sprite, who gets many people into trouble; have nothing to do with him. I think many persons who really intend to do the right thing, are caught by Satan, in this way; instead of trying to get them to decide against it, which he knows they wouldn't do, he coaxes them to put the duty off until they forget all about it. I trust he will not get the advantage of you.
Lara from Illinois. So the meek little pansy on its satin bed has done its duty and helped you? I am glad. Do you know, I think "little things" are harder to bear than big ones? Someway, we make up our minds to be patient and brave over real troubles, but little pin pricks are likely to find us off our guard; so a pledge against just these "little foxes" is very important.
Elma from Dakota Territory. Dear little Blossom, what a sweet letter you wrote me with your own hand! I think your lips must be very sweet when they have a smile on them; but "grumbles" are almost sure to dress themselves in ugly pouts. I would have nothing to do with them.
Olive and Hattie from Michigan. A "black" Pansy? No I do not think "thoughtlessness" is black. It is my opinion it is a dull gray-brown; such as my children in Sabbath school call dirt-color. Let us remember that it is a weed, not a pansy, but has crept in among some of our Blossoms unawares, and is to be rooted out. May you succeed in keeping your corner free from its power. Hattie dear, I am sorry for your long waiting. The first letter must have gone astray. What good news you both gave me! May you shine so brightly in your home, that "baby May" will early follow your example.