296 HOME AND GARDEN 



one's hand may do, one cannot resist doing or attempt- 

 ing it, even thongli time be already overcrowded, and 

 strength much reduced, and sight steadily failing ? 

 Are the people happier who are content to drift com- 

 fortably down the stream of life, to take things easily, 

 not to want to take pains or give themselves trouble 

 about what is not exactly necessary ? I know not 

 which, as worldly wisdom, is the wiser ; I only know 

 that to my own mind and conscience pure idleness 

 seems to me to be akin to folly, or even worse, and 

 that in some form or other I must obey the Divine 

 command : " Work while ye have the light." 



