Ellen sat at the piano practising. The big clock in the corner
was slowly ticking away the seconds, and the hands pointed to
half-past ten.
“Oh, dear!” sighed Ellen. “A whole half hour more; and the
clock seems to move more slowly than usual. How I hate this
everlasting practising! I wish there were no such things as
pianos in the world!”
“Why, Ellen!” said mama, who had entered the room in time to
hear the last sentence. “A year ago you were coaxing father to
buy you a piano. Are you growing tired of it so soon?”
The little girl’s face flushed. “I did not know it was such hard
work, mama; and I can’t bear to stay in the house a whole hour
this bright morning, just drumming at exercises. I would like to
play pretty pieces.”
“You must be patient, dear,” answered her mother. “The pretty
pieces will come in time. Think how delightful it will be, by
and by, to entertain father when he comes home tired from the
office! You know how he loves music. So keep up your courage,
little daughter, for father’s sake.”
The words lingered in the child’s memory. “For father’s sake,”
she would say to herself when the hours seemed long. And love
gave her patience.
Love always brings patience. Life’s exercises are often hard and
unmusical. But, little by little, they are preparing us for the
heavenly harmonies above.
(1916)