because I know how shabby it really is. That moss looks lovely on
the shingles, but the roof leaks. The porch is broken, only the
roses hide the place; and my gown is all faded, though it once was
as bright as you have made it. I wish the house and everything would
stay pretty forever, as they will in the picture."

While Marjorie spoke, the lady had been adding more color to the
sketch, and when she looked up, something warmer and brighter than
sunshine shone in her face, as she said, so cheerily, it was like a
bird's song to hear her,--

"It can't be summer always, dear, but we can make fair weather for
ourselves if we try. The moss, the roses, and soft shadows show the
little house and the little girl at their best, and that is what we
all should do; for it is amazing how lovely common things become, if
one only knows how to look at them."

"I wish _I_ did," said Marjorie, half to herself, remembering how
often she was discontented, and how hard it was to get on,
sometimes.

"So do I," said the lady, in her happy voice. "Just believe that
there is a sunny side to everything, and try to find it, and you
will be surprised to see how bright the world will seem, and how
cheerful you will be able to keep your little self."

"I guess granny has found that out, for she never frets. I do, but
I'm going to stop it, because I'm twelve to-day, and that is too old
for such things," said Marjorie, recollecting the good resolutions
she had made that morning when she woke.