en does not show itself; and one who cares for
them learns their way of being and of doing. The whole lesson is that
of allowing time, and by using it wisely to save it. The true glory of
a day for a plant is the air and sunlight and earth-food which it has
taken, from which it has become stronger. And every day, one by one,
as it proves, contributes something to its strength.

All men who have been patient students of the earth's ways have
learned to be careful, to love nature, and to take time. And we all
must learn to take time. It is not by careless use that we gain
anything, but by putting heart and mind into what must be done. When
heart and mind enter our work they affect time curiously; because of
the great interest we take in what we do time is not thought of; and
what is not thought of, is not noticed.

Hence, the value of time comes to this: to use any time we may have,
much or little, with the heart in the task. When that is done there is
not only better work accomplished but there are no regrets lingering
about to make us feel uncomfortable.

A practice hour can only be an hour of unwelcome labor when one thinks
so of it. If we go to the piano with interest in the playing we shall
be unconscious of time. Many men who love their labor tell of sitting
for hours at their work not knowing that hours have gone by.

If there is a love for music in any of us it will grow as a seed. And
as the seed needs the dear mother-earth, so the music needs the heart.
When it has taken root there and becomes firmer and firmer it will
begin to show itself outwardly as the light of the face. After it is
strong and can bear up against what assails it--not the wind and the
rain and the dry leaves, but discouragement and hard correction and
painful hot tears--then with that strength it will flourish.

Now, sometimes, in the days of its strength the music will seek far
more in its life, just as the plant seeks for more and blossoms. The
flower in the music is as great for all as for one. It is joy and
helpfulness. When for the love of music one seeks to do good then
music has borne its blossom.

Thus, by learning the life of a simple plant we learn the true mission
of the beautiful art of tone. It must put forth deeply its roots into
the heart that it may be fed. It must strive for strength as it grows
against whatever may befall it. It must use its food of the heart and
its strength for a pure purpose, and there is but one--t