"Ah, good woman, she needs it; for few recognize her mission to them.
She is sent by our master to administer woes which contain heavenly
truths, while I convey glad tidings. I shall never leave my sister save
when our labors are divided."
Thus spoke Joy, while tears filled the eyes of all.
Then the kind woman went and plucked some roses and gave them to
Sorrow, who was weeping.
"I did not half know myself," she said, addressing the sad form; "I
thought I could see God's angels everywhere, but this time how have I
failed! Forgive me," she said to Sorrow, "and when you are weary and
need rest, come to our cottage."
Sorrow gave her a sad but heavenly smile, and the sisters departed to
the next abode.
"Did you ever see them before?" asked the children of their grandparents
after the sisters had gone.
"Often: they have been going round the world for ages," answered
their grandparents.
"But Joy looks so young, grandpa."
"That's because she has naught to do with trouble. She belongs to the
bright side. She carries good tidings and pleasure to all; while Sorrow,
her sister, administers the woes."
"But Joy is good not to leave her sister."
"She cannot," said the grandparent.
"Cannot! Why?"
"Because Providence has so ordered it that Joy and Sorrow go hand in
hand,--pleasure and pain. No two forces in nature which are alike are
coupled. Day and night, sunshine and shadow, pleasure and pain, forever.
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