WINTER SKIES 



fever of excitement, too eager for him to stop, too 

 impatient for him to consider, too anxious for 

 him to rest. Fancy him whipped out of it all 

 suddenly and set down where it is cool and calm 

 and silent, and everything seemed to be saying, 

 1 What have you been making such a clatter 

 about ? All that is abiding and precious in life 

 was before you, and will be here after you, secure 

 and unperturbed. Then imagine some one com 

 ing into that still life who seemed to be the ulti 

 mate expression of it, as if the indulgent skies 

 and equitable sunshine had said, ( We will do our 

 best to help you on in the paths of peace, but as 

 you cannot yet understand our language, we send 

 you our best human product to say what we can 

 not. I suppose it has been so in all dispensa 

 tions, Griselle. Whenever man gets beyond the 

 reach of the ministering elements, they send him 

 articulate prophets and priestesses out of the 

 wilderness.&quot; 



Poor Griselle. She had never been talked to 

 like this before. But was there ever a true 

 woman anywhere in field or in palace who was 

 not made to be talked to at some time in just this 

 way, and who, unlike Gretchen, did not accept it 

 all as the service due to her womanly ordination ? 



&quot; I am sure,&quot; said Griselle, somewhat falteringly, 

 and with her head turned away, &quot; I was only try 

 ing to be neighbourly and social it is quite 

 natural.&quot; 



&quot; Quite natural, yes. That was the crowning 

 glory of it. It was so sure to take its natural 



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