Algernon Blackwood

“ It sticks to the eyes most, but a little also to the hair and voice, and nobody loves you unless you've got a bit of it somewhere on you. A girl, before any one falls in love with her, has always been there, and people who write stories and music and things--all have got some on their fingers or else nobody cares for what they write--'
'Oh, Daddy, then why don't you go there and get sticky all over with it?' Jinny burst out with sudden eagerness, ever thinking of others before herself. ”

“ Only Jinny stared straight into her father's face, expecting more, though prepared at any stage to explode with unfeigned admiration.
'But that "don't you" comes in the wrong place,' she objected anxiously. 'It ought to come after "I call it rotten"---' She was determined to make it seem all right.
'No, Jinny,' he answered gravely, 'you must always put others before yourself. ”

“ It's the first rule in life and literature.'
She dropped her eyes to the fire like the others. 'Ah,' she said, 'I see; of course.' The long word blocked her mind like an avalanche, even while she loved it.
'I call it rotten,' murmured Monkey under her breath. Jimbo made no audible remark. He crossed his little legs and folded his arms. He was not going to express an opinion until he understood better what it was all about. He began to whisper to his sister. Another longish pause intervened. It was Jinny again who broke it. ”

“ We are the stars which sing. We sing with our light. We are the birds of fire. We fly across the heaven. Our light is a star. We make a road for Spirits, A road for the Great Spirit. Among us are three hunters Who chase a bear: There never was a time When they were not hunting ”

“ But it didn't stick very well with me. It wipes off so quickly in the day- time. The sunlight kills it.'
'But you got some!' the child insisted. 'And you've got it still, I mean?'
'A little, perhaps, a very little.'
All felt the sadness in his voice without understanding it. ”

“ We look down on the mountains. This is the Song of the Mountains. ''Red Indian'' (''Algonquin'') ''Lyric''. Translator, J. D. PRINCE. 'A star-story, please,' the boy repeated, cuddling up. They all drew, where possible, nearer. Their belief in their father's powers, rarely justified, was pathetic. Each time they felt sure he would make the adventures seem real, yet somehow he never quite did. They were aware that it was invention only. These things he told about he had not experienced himself. For they badly needed a leader, these children; and Daddy just missed filling the position. ”