Page:The heart of Monadnock (IA heartofmonadnock00timl).pdf/153

 piece of advice more when you are older than you do now, but I want you to remember it. It is this: when it rains—let it rain."

The climber, who had heard the story from his father many times, himself appreciated the sage, calm wisdom of this simple advice more deeply as the years passed. This afternoon the words returned to him with renewed meaning, as he looked deeply into the heart of Monadnock. That counsel was what the mountain whispered. When it rained—let it rain. How could anything so transient as even the most raging tempest affect its inner, inscrutable calm Even as one gazed, its ineffable peace, its unshakable serenity like a benediction shed themselves upon the heart.

The sunset drew on. Changing colors began to play caressingly over the rocky cliffs which slowly grew rosy-heliotrope, as are the violet-wreathed hills about old Athens. The emerald spruces took on a softer, warmer green; the mellow leaves of the maples far below were drenched in golden