New Walks in Old Ways 



spot where I was standing, alighting 

 on one of the lower branches of the 

 tree near which I stood, I was both 

 surprised and gratified. That he had a 

 message for me I did not doubt. Who 

 sent him with it is a mystery; but 

 whoever it was I thank him or her for 

 it, and trust that I interpreted it cor- 

 rectly. I am equally certain that it 

 was a hint intended for my benefit; 

 for I had been somewhat out of spirits 

 for several days preceding. 



Unfortunately, I am no mocking- 

 bird. Unfortunately, like some other 

 folk, I sometimes allow the pursuit of 

 the thousand-and-one unnecessaries de- 

 manded by modern civilized life, or 

 permit the various petty disappoint- 

 ments of this human pilgrimage, to 

 batter up my nerves. Bright sun- 

 shine, a cool day and a blazing log 

 upon the hearth, or the grasp of a 

 friendly hand, commonly will restore 

 one's cheer for a time at least, but 

 clouds come back. 



[74] 



