October 1

“The other thing that represses the utterances of love, is the characteristic shyness of the Anglo-Saxon blood. Oddly enough, a race born of two demonstrative, outspoken nations – the German and the French – has an habitual reserve which is like neither. There is a powerlessness of utterance in our blood that we should fight against, and struggle outwards towards expression. We can educate ourselves to it, if we know and feel the necessity; we can make it a Christian duty, not only to love, but to be loving – not only to be true friends, but to show ourselves friendly. We can make ourselves say the kind things that rise in our hearts and tremble on our lips – do the gentle and helpful deeds which we long to do and shrink back from; and, little by little, it will grow easier – the love spoken will bring back the answer of love – the kind deed will bring back a kind deed in return.”

Mrs H. B. STOWE

“A few more smiles of silent sympathy, a few more tender words, a little more restraint on temper, may make all the difference between happiness and half-happiness to those I live with.”

STOPFORD BROOKE