Mrs. Scoresby Routledge, a well-known lady explorer, wrote to me once
to say that while travelling in the Pacific she came across Scouts in
all sorts of unexpected places.
After giving them a good character, she added that the only bad thing
about Scouts was that they whistled.
She pointed out that a great many people already suffer from the
noises in the streets of our towns, especially people who are ill and
weak. Even small, harmless noises "get on their nerves," and keep them
from resting. And whistling is one of these dreaded noises.
I hope Scouts, in going about the streets, will think of this, and
tone down their whistling, as a good turn to people who may possibly
be disturbed by it.
At the same time, I need not remind you that it is good to whistle and
smile in a difficulty, when otherwise you might break out into curses,
or into a cry of pain or of panic, or take to your fists (or your
heels), according to what might be happening to you.
I have known fellows whistle in very bad times in action, and their
whistling has not only kept them calm themselves, but has also made
those around them feel calm and cheery, too.
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