| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 11 |
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The art of friendship is one we cannot afford to lose. Friendship means a great deal to us, not only as a source of pleasure and happiness, but in practical ways. We never can know what we owe to our friends, what they have done for us, how they have helped us, what they have done in the building of our character. Our lives are like buildings going up, and every one who comes to us, whether for a prolonged stay, or only for a few moments, puts something into the walls or into the adornment. Our friends, if they are worthy, exert a measureless influence over us. One writes:
“‘He is my friend,’ I said–
‘Be patient.’ Overhead
The skies were drear and dim,
And lo! The thought of him
Smiled on my heart–and then
The sun shone out again.
“‘He is my friend!’ The words
Brought summer and the birds;
And all my winter time
Thawed into running rhyme
And rippled into song,
Warm, tender, brave, and strong.”
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