Page:Winter - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/365

Rh In our holiest moment, our devil with a leer stands close at hand. He is a very busy devil. When I go forth with zeal to some good work, my devil is sure to get his robe tucked up the first, and arrives there as soon as I, with a look of sincere earnestness, which puts to shame my best intent. He has a winning way of recommending himself by making himself useful. How readily he comes into my best project, and does his work with a quiet and steady cheerfulness which even virtue may take pattern from. I never did a charitable thing, but there he stood, scarce in the rear, hat in hand, partner in the same errand, ready to share the smile of gratitude. Though I shut the door never so quick, and tell him to stay home like a good dog, he will out with me, for I shut in my own legs so, and he escapes in the mean while, and is ready to back and reinforce me in most virtuous deeds. If I turn and say, &quot;Get thee behind me,&quot; he then indeed turns too, and takes the lead, though he seems to retire with a pensive and compassionate look, as much as to say, &quot;Ye know not what ye do.&quot;

Feb. 8, 1852. Tuckerman says cunningly, &quot;If the rapt admirer of the wonders and beauties of life and being might well come to learn of our knowledge the laws and the history of what he loves, let us remember that we have