She might have lain there some time had not Faith's eyes discovered
her coming through the clouds.
Full and joyous was the meeting of the three; and when the sun went
to rest they sought shelter among the people.
With the uplifted eyes of Faith, the clear, soul-speaking face of Hope,
and the tender, forgiving words of Charity, their united force was great.
Some of the people at first refused to admit the last comer into their
dwellings.
"Faith, with her lovely eyes, and Hope, with her bright ways, are good
enough," they said; "and why need they bring this pale, fragile one to
earth?"
But when once she had spoken, either in council or rebuke, to her
listeners, there was melody and richness in her tones: such an awakening
of their souls' finer powers that they ever after bade her welcome.
Her strength lay in her gentleness. She always went when called for, but
never obtruded herself on others. Very often her sisters were invited to
the feast of the people without her. It took time for her quality to be
known: she was so still and silent. Her step, too, was noiseless, and her
delicate feet left no prints where she trod.
Before she grew into favor with the people they used to watch for her
footprints to see whose guest she had been; but they found no traces,
and learned to entertain her after a long time for the lovely qualities
which she possessed.
They walk the earth now, each loved and entertained by many, while
some sit in the shadows, and know not that earth has the angels of Faith,
Hope, and Charity to bless them.
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