Otho from Iowa. Another little "high" temper. A temper is an excellent thing if it is of the right sort. It wants to be even; neither "high" nor "low." Try hard to make yours what in your honest little heart you think it ought to be. Remember your greatest help will be found in our Whisper Motto.
Roy from Michigan. My boy, I liked your letter ever so much. Do you know how much that is? Yes, I am sure you do. It is so full of suggestions for the other Pansies that I am going to copy some of it for them. It is a great thing to be able always to "speak pleasantly." What a power for good you will be in this cross world, if you keep your pledge. To be pleasant, when everything is going crooked, or at least seems to be, is a virtue which very few people have.
Arthur from Chicago. How is the "club" succeeding? I am more than willing that you should have an officer's badge if you earn it. What "kind acts" have you succeeded in doing since you took your pledge? Is there not some story growing out of them that you can tell us, and so help others?
Kitty from Vermont. Yes indeed, we want all the "kittens" of your sort that we can get hold of. Oh! I know all about the people who do not hang up their clothes. Aren't they troublesome, though! What a pleasant thing it will be to "mamma" to find all the dresses, and sacks, and hats and hoods in their places, after this! I should not wonder if the clothes-press did not know itself, and if the piano, and the table in the back hall, and the hat-rack in the corner should feel very lonesome, in the course of time. But a certain Pansy Badge will blush for joy!
Bertha from Connecticut. Glad you like the badge. And so glad to think the poor little fingers do not get "sucked" any more. Will you give my dear love to "aunt Katie," and kiss her very softly and sweetly for me? I know something about that precious "Shut in Band;" I used to have a dear friend who was a member of it. But the Master one day called her out, to do active work, and she has been in the field ever since.
Pearl from Indiana. Teeth are very important and much abused members of society, my dear Pearl. I hope yours will reward you for good care, by never aching a bit. By the way, little Pearl, I wonder if you know the fourth commandment? See if you can tell me why I wonder it.
Marion from Iowa. We welcome our new Western Blossom. It is astonishing to me how many of my Blossoms hate to shut their eyes when night comes! At least, they and "mamma" someway cannot agree as to the best time to do it. Now in a "truly" pansy bed, I have noticed that the Blossoms seem to be glad when night, and dew, and hush, tell them that the resting time has come. Can it be, do you suppose, that they, without souls, or brains, are more obedient to the Gardener's voice than little human blossoms succeed in being? Some people who are quick-witted are strongly tempted to "answer back," especially when they think of something which would be "just the thing" to say. I knew a wise man who said when he was a boy, he had to adopt the habit of counting ten before he answered a person in argument, because if he didn't, he was sure to say what he was sorry for afterwards. I have often thought if some people I know would "count ten" oftener, they would not say so many foolish and disagreeable things.
Frank from Ohio. Impatient, are you? Well, there is a wonderful promise for such as you in the Bible. See if you can find it. I haven't the least doubt but that you want to grow up a great man; and here is your opportunity.
Lillie from Connecticut. My dear, I earnestly hope the patience with which you waited has long before this been rewarded. They do seem to be very slow people in Boston, sometimes, but when there are so many "lilies," and roses, and pansies to be attended to all at once, how can they help it? We are glad to get your full name for enrollment. Are you also the secretary of your Band? If so, we shall hope for an account of your meetings. The Pansies like to know how the different members of their great army conduct their monthly meetings.