Katherine Merritte Snyder Yates

“ You are not arguing honestly. You are not called upon to do one thing more than you think, honestly, that you ought to. No more than that is your work."
"But I could make myself think—" began Marjorie.
"I said honestly," said the Dream. "It isn't honest to make yourself think anything." ”

“ You only showed them something better than they had, and did it without being obtrusive. Every one wants what is better than he has;—if he is allowed to take it of his own accord, and doesn't have it thrust upon him."
After this they walked along in silence for quite a long way, until they came to the top of a hill, and sat down to rest for a few moments. Marjorie heaved a sigh as she looked away over the low, green hills, the shady woods, and the winding stream. "I've come a long way," she said, "and I haven't done much;—but I wanted to,—you don't know how I wanted to." ”

“ After a time they came to where a little brook wandered across the road. There had been stepping-stones, but some thoughtless youngsters had taken them to one side and built a dam, which caused the water to back up until the way was impassable, if one would cross dry-shod.
Marjorie stood and looked for a moment, and then turned toward the fence where she saw that others had crossed by clinging to the boards. Then she stopped, and laying her roses in the shadow of a clump of bushes, she went to the little dam and began to loosen the stones. ”

“ Marjorie looked unconvinced. "Your arguments sound all right," she said; "but I am sure that they must be wrong somewhere, because it certainly isn't right for those poor, dear little rabbits to be shut up that way. They ought to be let out right now. The fence is nearly done and they wouldn't try to go through the opening while you are working on it; they would be afraid. If you don't let them out, every one will be talking about how cruel you are. ”

“ When he reached the building, he hesitated for an instant, and then he drew the bolt and threw open the door; but before he had time to turn and head them off, out scrambled a white wave of rabbits; big and little, fat and thin; and with one accord made straight for the opening in the fence. The boy ran after them, calling excitedly to Marjorie to stand firm and not let them through; and for a moment Marjorie did stand firm before the oncoming army of waving ears and flying feet ”

“ When Marjorie and the Dream were again alone, Marjorie continued humming the little tune, happily.
"The world is more beautiful than it was. Don't you think so?" said the Dream, presently.
"Yes," said Marjorie. ”

“ It was rather heavy and awkward to handle; but she kept bravely on, and soon returned for another. As she bent toward it, she happened to glance back down the road, and then she suddenly straightened up. "Oh, look!" she cried. "See all the people dragging that wagon up the hill,—and just hear them shout! Something must have happened to the horse! I'm going to help!" and she started to run down the hill.
"I thought you were busy," called the Dream, after her.
"Yes," she called back, "I know; but I can do that after a while,—I want to help with the wagon now;" ”

“ Marjorie said nothing, and the boy went on.
"I am fencing in a place for some white rabbits. Some of them are very small, and so I had to put the pickets near together and close to the ground. Do you see?"
"Oh," said Marjorie, "I didn't know what you were going to keep inside! Of course you would have to build it this way for the little rabbits. If I had known what it was for, I wouldn't have said anything."
"Was it necessary for you to know?" asked the boy. "It is my fence."
Marjorie flushed, "I don't think that you are very grateful," she said ”

“ Don't take what some one else says that you 'ought' to do, and try to shave yourself down to fit it. Study it out and think it out for yourself; and then if the other fellow's opinion seems wise, follow it;—and if it doesn't, follow a better one of your own. ”