Edwin and Harold from Maine. Of course we will receive the little brother. A boy five years old can keep a pledge as well as an older person; sometimes better. I hope there will be fewer tears shed in your home than ever before; also, that my boy Edwin will become noted for the prompt manner in which he obeys all right calls.
Maud from Pennsylvania. Impatient people are always "nervous;" did you know it? I had an old aunt who used to say that "nervous" was a new-fashioned word, which she did not believe in; that in her day, they called it "cross." That is pretty hard on the nerves, isn't it? I don't agree with her. Sometimes those nerves twinge in a very disagreeable manner; but the strong will which they are trying to twist, gets the better of them, and gentle patience is the result. I hope you will succeed.
Beverly from Maryland. My boy, you are growing rich, are you not? So many dear friends already in Heaven, waiting and watching for you. Would it not be sad if their boy should do anything to grieve them? I hope your badge will be helpful. I see no sparrows about me, but while I write, the mocking-birds are singing in the pine trees near by.
Arthur from Pennsylvania. I like your verses very much. As soon as I have time, I shall copy them for the magazine. I am afraid "Reaching Out" must close with October, as I have another story waiting, which I think you boys, particularly, will like quite as well as "Reaching Out."
Ellen from Kansas. It is quite a common thing for people to see the faults of others, and be blind to their own. Queer, isn't it? Do you remember the old Scotch poem:
O wad some power the giftie gie us,
To see ourselves as ithers see us!
It wad from mony a blunder free us,
And foolish notion.
There is a wise old man who says that people are pretty sure to see in others the very failings which they themselves possess. What do you think of it? I am much interested in your "literary cat." What branch of study does she appear to be taking up?
Arthur from Tennessee. You had a chance to exercise patience in waiting for your badge, did you not? I do not know why some of the badges seem to think they must be so long on the road, unless it is to help their owners to a little of that quality. Don't you think it is generally a scarce article with boys?
Birdie from Kentucky. O yes, Birdie, we have a great many Blossoms in Kentucky, only we have not answered their letters yet. There are many hundreds still waiting. My dear little girl, do you think one has to "try" very hard to love such a Friend as Jesus? I suspect you mean that you have not learned to love Him enough to obey Him perfectly. That is a hard lesson; it gives me joy to think you are trying to learn it.
Gertrude from Missouri. "Things" seem to be determined to lie around in the way. All over the country I notice that the P. S. Blossoms have the same trouble. They will certainly have to be willing to hang on hooks, and nails, or lie quietly on clothespress shelves; for the P. S. has gotten hold of them with determined wills. We are glad of a recruit from Missouri.