Dear Pansies:
Through the bright summer months, while away at seashore, or mountains, we know there will come many idle moments when it is too hot to play, and when books do not engross. In these moments, may you hear the voices of those patient little ones, who, too sick and suffering to play out of doors, are lying on beds of suffering, only knowing of the green fields, and cool brooks, and lovely summer-tide places, from their memories, or from what others tell them. At such moments, oh, dear Pansies, let your fingers be busy in making those things that you know children like them would enjoy, and your tongues be active, interesting the other children of the hotel or the boarding-house in this ministry of love. It is now some four years since the Pansy Society was formed. Its members are legion, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and it has done much noble work. But we aim for great results, and we mean this summer to accomplish much good. We wonder which of our workers will lead.
M. S.
Walter from Virginia. Another sunshiny face will give light in the home, if you keep your pledge, my boy, as I seem to feel sure you will. It is easy to find something to look cross at; almost anybody can do that; but the people are rather few who can look pleasant when things do not go just right. The few who do this, are among the most helpful people we have in the world.
Clara from Nova Scotia. A five-year-old Pansy blooming in Nova Scotia! Isn't that delightful? She is just like all the other little Blossoms, too; troubled with weeds; doesn't like to obey promptly, and "wants her own sweet little way, sometimes, instead of mamma's." But like a brave Blossom she is going to try to get rid of these weeds and grow beautifully for the great Gardener. We welcome you heartily to the P. S., and hope you will train "Agnes" and "Margaret" so well, that they will join us very soon.
May from Virginia. Little seven-year-old May flower, I give you greeting. It is such an easy thing for bright little tongues to "answer back!" How glad I am that now, while you are so young, you are going to overcome the bad habit! Why, here is brother Chester in your letter! We are glad to welcome him. What a large pledge he has taken! Part of it you are very glad to hear, I know. Chester, my boy, I hope you will succeed. Write and let me know how you are getting on.
Edith from California. "Selfishness" is a weed which seems to thrive in a great many States. I am not surprised to hear that California has its share. Glad you are going to root it from your grounds. I have ordered the missing number of The Pansy sent to you.
Lowrie from Washington Territory. So you do not mean the rest of us shall know what fault you are striving to overcome? Well, never mind; so that you and Jesus know about it, that is all that is really necessary. But if you honestly try, there are others who will know about it. You may not hear them, but they will be saying among themselves: "How much Lowrie is improving! Don't you know how often he used to give way to that fault of his? Now he hardly ever does." When your dear "chubby" fingers get so they can write, send me word how you are prospering, and whether you find the badge a help.
Calvert from Indiana. Here is a boy who is going to stop "putting off things." Good! I wish you lived with a boy friend of mine long enough for him to adopt your resolve. He troubles all his friends so much with that very habit! Perhaps he will read this letter, and join you. I am glad you try to increase the circulation of The Pansy. If every Blossom on our list should get one new subscriber a year, even, what a great new garden we should have!