"I can't tell you how I dread entering on this contest." "There need be no contest. It takes two for that, and I don't propose a fight." "What am I to do, then?" "Do nothing while the tempest lasts. After it is over, speak to her kindly, but firmly; and state it as a simple fact that a new leaf is to be turned over in the family life." "It won't do any good. Esther has such a will. I shall only provoke her!" "You can't provoke her if you speak gently and lovingly." "But I can't do that. When she has one of her tantrums I lose my temper." "Then before you speak to her, speak to God. He will sweeten and humble you if you will let Him do it." CHAPTER XIII. "Mrs. Grey's carriage," announced a servant. "Oh, must you go so soon?" cried Mr. Thayer. "I am sure my wife needs more counsel." "Let me countermand the carriage. Do stay one night more. You may save our children by doing it," urged Mrs. Thayer. "I must send a telegram home if I stay." "Certainly," said Mr. Thayer. "I will take it myself." "Dear Mrs. Grey," said Mrs. Thayer, "I am so thankful to see you alone. You have opened a new world to me in regard to prayer. Beyond praying for my children night and morning, I have never consulted the Lord about them. I have always acted on the impulse of the moment." "We come to grief, sooner or later, if we do that." "But I am naturally impulsive, and look before I leap. I _cannot_ always stop to think where I shall alight." "If your watch is in good order, do you have to do more than wind it up every night to insure its keeping good time? Now if your soul is in a normal condition through the skill and goodness of God, and you do your part towards keeping it so by prayer, be as impulsive as you like. You'll keep good time." "There is another trouble I have with Esther. She is too fond of dress." "Most girls are. Their mothers teach them this by talking as if it were a matter of great moment, and by giving them articles of dress as holiday and birthday gifts, thus implying that this is the greatest favor they can do them." "I have done this, but thoughtlessly. It never occurred to me that I was educating my girls into this folly." She spoke in a weary voice, and at length added: "I am all out of patience with myself. I don't see but that I lie at the bottom of most of my children's faults." "Fenelon tells us to be patient with ourselves, and he is right," Mrs. Grey said, gently, and looking with sympathy at the poor mother's flushed cheeks.