Page:Side talks with girls (1895).djvu/97

Rh girl herself. These small faults are at first troublesome to get rid of, but when the effect that they have upon the character is realized, and it is seen how quickly they grow from mere faults to absolute sins, surely a girl will take all the care possible and not only discover them for herself, but hate them and conquer them.

Usually much is said about speech being silver and silence golden, and yet there are times when silence itself is a sin. If someone you know is being talked about, spoken of maliciously, and all her faults discussed, what is your duty? This: To think up something about her that is good, and to mention it so distinctly that all the talkers will be shamed out of hunting for her faults and will begin to look for her virtues. Very often you set your lips tight and resolve not to say a word against anybody, and then you think you have done your duty. But you haven't. A persistent silence in leaving undone that which you ought to have done has been your fault, and that means committing a sin of omission. Speak, and speak quickly and honestly, never hesitating to tell of the virtues belonging even to your enemies, because, after all, it is a mean thing merely to keep silent; and it is a great thing to control one's self