He began at once to set things to
rights, but the baby waking up, he took him, and nursed him till
his mother had got the breakfast ready. She was looking gloomy,
and his father was silent; and indeed except Diamond had done
all he possibly could to keep out the misery that was trying to
get in at doors and windows, he too would have grown miserable,
and then they would have been all miserable together. But to try
to make others comfortable is the only way to get right
comfortable ourselves, and that comes partly of not being able
to think so much about ourselves when we are helping other
people. For our Selves will always do pretty well if we don't
pay them too much attention. Our Selves are like some little
children who will be happy enough so long as they are left to
their own games, but
when we begin to interfere with them, and make them presents of
too nice playthings, or too many sweet things, they begin at
once to fret and spoil.
"Why, Diamond, child!" said his mother at last, "you're as
good to your mother as if you were a girl -- nursing the baby,
and toasting the bread, and sweeping up the hearth! I declare a
body would think you had been among the fairies."
Could Diamond have had greater praise or greater pleasure?
You see when he forgot his Self his mother took care of his
Self, and loved and praised his Self.
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