Some club women interested in civic reform were gathered in
the office of a city executive waiting for an interview. They
were charming, clever women, well drest, and at ease in any
surroundings. As they waited they chatted of various things, and
one told that her little son had been quite badly burned a few
days before. The others spoke sympathetically. On the opposite
side of the office sat a poor, battered wreck of womanhood,
there on an errand widely different from theirs.
“The next time your little boy gets burned you put linseed-oil
and lime-water on it. You ought to keep it handy. There ain’t
nothing like it to take out the fire,” said the poor creature.
It was her assertion of sisterhood in the common trials of
humanity.
Most of the women froze instantly, indignant that she had dared
address them in a familiar way. But the one faced her frankly.
“Yes,” she said, “that is good. It is just what the doctor told
me to use. It is kind of you to tell me about it.”
There was no familiarity in her manner, nor was there a hint of
superiority. She, too, recognized the universal sisterhood, and
spoke to the woman across from her on that level.
She was one of the women who always do the gracious thing
because of an abiding grace within. There are too many women who
appear charming in their own circle, but who must snub those
they consider inferior. Manners at their best are but a poor
substitute for the real graciousness that comes from the heart
that has kindly thoughts for all.--_The Housekeeper._
(1289)
=Gradualness of Evil=--See DESTRUCTIVENESS.
=Graft Rebuked=--See CHARACTER NOT PURCHASABLE.