“In order that we may use them for a better purpose,” answered Hubert, after a few minutes’ reflection. “I thought you had floored me, but I see it now. ‘Speech is silvern,’ and ‘silence is golden;’ but ‘a soft answer turneth away wrath.’ Although Cissy might gain apparent victories by retorting, she would in reality only draw upon herself greater antagonism, whilst, on the other hand, her silence both irritates them and makes them think her craven-spirited. If she were great enough to show her superiority by explaining, or apologising for her blunders, she would very soon put to rout all their hostility and win their hearts: that is, unless girls are made of very different stuff from boys. But this sort of greatness is only to be arrived at in one way,” he added, gravely. “Perhaps you could help her to find out how.” Eva understood her brother’s meaning, for they often had these confidential talks on serious subjects. “‘Take my yoke upon you and learn of me,’” she repeated, softly. “I had not thought of trying to help her.” Hubert was right. An angry retort often provokes the bitterest enmity and does irreparable harm, and silence irritates by its likeness to contempt, but a gentle word is like oil on troubled waters. It is the coin by means of which we may purchase that which neither silver nor gold can buy—the love of an enemy; and more, by thus driving the demon from a human heart we may be the means, in God’s hands, of converting a sinner from the error of his ways. “And if,” said Christ, “he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” F. E. BURCH. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A VIOLIN. [Illustration]