People who lived side by side exchanged such
services without waiting to be asked, and they seemed to be
happiest of whom such kindnesses were most expected.
Every kind of work brings its own compensations and attractions.
I really began to like plain sewing; I enjoyed sitting down for a
whole afternoon of it, fingers flying and thoughts flying faster
still,--the motion of the hands seeming to set the mind astir.
Such afternoons used to bring me throngs of poetic suggestions,
particularly if I sat by an open window and could hear the wind
blowing and a bird or two singing. Nature is often very generous
in opening her heart to those who must keep their hands employed.
Perhaps it is because she is always quietly at work herself,
and so sympathizes with her busy human friends. And possibly
there is no needful occupation which is wholly unbeautiful. The
beauty of work depends upon the way we meet it--whether we arm
ourselves each morning to attack it as an enemy that must be
vanquished before night comes, or whether we open our eyes with
the sunrise to welcome it as an approaching friend who will keep
us delightful company all day, and who will make us feel, at
evening, that the day was well worth its fatigues.
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