p. 358 | The Magic of Silence

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1875

The Magic of Silence.

You have often heard "it takes two to make a quarrel." Do you believe it? I'll tell you how one of my little friends managed. Dolly never came to see Marjorie that there was not a quarrel. Marjorie tried to speak gently, but, no matter how hard she tried, Dolly finally made her so angry that she would soon speak sharp words too. "Oh, what shall I do?" cried poor little Marjorie. "Suppose you try this plan," said her mother: "the next time Dolly comes in seat yourself in front of the fire and take the tongs in your hand. Whenever a sharp word comes from Dolly, gently snap the tongs without speaking a word."

Soon afterward in marched Dolly to see her little friend. It was not a quarter of an hour before Dolly's temper was ruffled, and her voice was raised, and as usual she began to find fault and scold. Marjorie fled to the hearth and seized the tongs, snapping them gently. More angry words from Dolly. Snap went the tongs. More still. Snap. "Why don't you speak?" screamed Dolly in a fury. Snap went the tongs. "Speak," said she. Snap was the only answer. "I'll never, never come again, never!" cried Dolly. Away she went. Did she keep her promise? No, indeed. She came the next day, but seeing Marjorie run for the tongs, she solemnly said if she would only let them alone they would quarrel no more forever and ever.