Nora from Minnesota. What sort of a "face" is it, my dear? I suspect, a cross one; for I know several people who do not like to "practise." Suppose you resolve to wear a smile, whenever you are told to do that wearisome thing? In which case, you would be sure to keep your pledge. Wouldn't you?
Annie from Missouri. Five new subscribers in a week! What a bright little worker it is! A "quick" temper is not a bad thing to have, when it is a servant, and not a mistress. So long as you keep it under good control, it will help you to move quickly, and work quickly, and think quickly. Did you know that?
Amy from New York. My dear Blossom, I want to preach a little sermon to you, with one word for a text: PATIENCE. I know you have had to wait long for the answer to your letter; but what would you do if you were the editor of a magazine, which was published once a month, and had room in it for replies to only a dozen or twenty letters each month, and you received as many as twenty-five a day? You "would make shorter answers," I think I hear you say. That is a good suggestion; I have thought about it myself; but there is always so much to say! I am sorry to hear that you have not kept your pledge very well, but the old motto which my dear mother used to quote to me, when I was a very little girl, is a good one for you: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
Nellie from Maine. So I had the honor of receiving the first letter you ever wrote! I am pleased with that. A good letter it was, too. I have just been reading about a little girl in California who has a habit of fretting; and now I find that they have the same disease in Maine! Well, I am glad to know that there will be less of it from this time. It is sometimes very hard work to obey promptly. You will have to keep careful watch of yourself; but it will be a triumph worth winning, when you form the habit.
Winnie and Helen from Minnesota. I am always glad to welcome sisters; for I know how helpful they can be to each other. When we have two, patient, lady-like, sweet Pansies who speak only gentle words, how sweet the perfume will be! Perhaps the breath of such flowers will creep all over the State of Minnesota! You don't think that possible? Oh, yes indeed. I have known a sweet breath from a little human flower, reach from New York to China. Try how far you can make your perfume reach.
Lucy from Massachusetts. Poor fingernails! I am always so sorry for those faithful friends when they have to be bitten. I will hope for better times with yours. It is astonishing how many warm friends Nettie Decker has! She is a favorite of mine, so I am glad you like her. I read your letter to the author of "My Brainless Acquaintance" and he expressed much pleasure at the thought that you enjoyed it. I hope you will give the "baby brother" a kiss for me.
Margie from Massachusetts. That is the trouble, my dear little girl: So many people are naughty "before they think."
I know of only one way to learn how to think, and that is, to ask Jesus to keep your thoughts on what he wants you to remember. You must always remember that it "takes two to make a quarrel;" so if you will not quarrel with any person, no one can quarrel with you.
Helen and Frank from Maryland. Dear little brother and sister, we are very glad to receive your names. There are a great many things to "get mad" over. I heard a little boy say, yesterday, that when he was in any trouble, he always got mad. I asked if that helped him any, and he owned that he thought it made the matter worse. It is pleasant to think that Frank will watch his temper, after this. And as for you, Helen, I shall expect to hear that you make a great deal of sunshine from this time.
Mary from Minnesota. Dear little Blossom, with "ever so many bad habits," what a work you have before you. But if you will hold your ear close, and not tell anybody, I will whisper a secret to you. Every little girl I know, has ever so many, also. The difference between them is only, that some are trying to overcome, and some are not. Let me tell you that is a very great difference; one that will reach all through life. It is so good to think that our little Mary belongs to those who are trying.