POLLYANNA
and fill that woodbox!' I'll warrant that woodbox would be empty yet, so far as Tom was concerned!"
On and on read the minister—a word here, a line there, a paragraph somewhere else:
"What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened.…Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his real self that can dare and do and win out!…The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful character is contagious, and may revolutionize a whole town.…People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts. If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes—his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest!…When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that.…Tell your son Tom you know he'll be glad to fill that woodbox—then watch him start, alert and interested!"
The minister dropped the paper and lifted his chin. In a moment he was on his feet, tramping the narrow room back and forth, back and forth. Later, some time later, he drew a long breath, and dropped himself in the chair at his desk.
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