New-York tribune., 1902-10-30
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1T PoNDERS OVER THE RELATIVE IMPoR-
TANCE OF THINGS.

TANCE OF THINGS
PunctuaIly al the hour the Five O'Clock Tea Club
convened, with fve old friends and two new mem
hers the bright expectant faces OF the latter giving
promise OF fresh thought and interest
II am glad we are seven." said Mrs. Weldon
The number seems a fortunate one and suggests
completeness
q, the new members. 1t always pleases me 20
and the spiritual suggestions OF life taken into
account To me they make up the better and inner
half OF living The spirit gveth life: is really
the substance. and the lettsr. or fact, Is the
shadow"
You must be our poet. Mrs. wynne' responded
Mrs Weldon. "and teach US to see things in their
true relations"
That is the real definition Of poetry. seeing
things in their true relations" said Mrs Wynne,
smiling But don't accord me so high a vocation.
I am here 70 gain impressions not TO teach"
IT think" interposed Miss MerivaIe "that one
thing we all gain Dy comparing notes is the sense
OF proportion. We each discover what the others
value. and weigh our thoughts in the general bal
ance I remember at the mature age OF fifteen
manning 10 write an essay on The Relative In
nortsuce OF Things What a weighty production
Il was to be! Even then was struck with the lack
os q true sense OF proportion in the lives and aims
OF many persons: and like all young minds. ]
fancie6 that the idea was original with me-
.I.u, sure" said Mrs Weldon that II we all
knew what 10 put first our lives would be more
harmonious
4rsn't a. very simpler observed Mrs Wright
..Tutv hrst-that's ali l have a chance to
tbink what 10 put first: the days work is cut out
for me-"
THAT Is the fortunate lot OF some women-and
men" said Miss Merivale But 10 straighten your
life out even to that extent. you must have the
sense OF duty the first place. I smile to myself
when I hear people say: These clubs. etc, will
make women shirk their proper duties It isn't
the doing that counts much: .t's the method
II Won want TO shirk you find the way /
remember hearing of friend Of my grandmother
IN the old days-a very religious woman-whose
children ran wild while she went to PRAYER meet
Ines and sewing circles and mission meetings and
SO forth. There were no clubs in those days
Some Of the busiest people / know are the most
conspicuous shirks. They work the wrong
i.SSirking doesn't always mean idleness - said
Mrs Wynne. Il think you're right The relative
smDortance OF things Is a great subjectt I often
think OF the immense value OF rest and leisure,
and now we are losing that source OF strength IN
the vhirl of our modern life"
.And how much we give up the care OF
,birRsi" exclaimed Mrs. Quitting. I LOOK AZ some
,he real pleasure and freshness and actiyt - iife
sbTo,rh guarding their possessions-tbeir orra ~
mens their h0Sses everob Se carpets and curtains
broken ornament is Tragedy! They are As had as
. child who breaks her dolly. I've no 1atienSe
with them, They grow eareworn and hagrard IL
,,,nld really De more worth while 10 hinI % - eir
GOOD looks not speak OF their happiness no
Sasstir virtues are ali very well: but-weii -
ilseSi vou'd smile, I'm famous TO- .here;
nestle virtues; But yog'h all admit they ought
20 be kept IN their place
A observed Mrs. Wynne- You can't t,,r CONES
Siities into such sordid drudgerv II Won r. Soss ~
light OF me ,, ,y5, uorE bsr5 ss ~ them
YET the value OF their work IS utterly dsstrovs -,
regarding Il mere Toll. aro missing he hssuyx
and dignity OF work They see no beauty IN s-y.