The foolish larks were up, of course, for they fancied, come what might of winter and rough weather, the universe founded in eternal joy, and themselves endowed with the best of all rights to be glad, for there was the gladness inside, and struggling to get outside of them.

And out it was coming in a divine profusion! How many baskets would not have been wanted to gather up the lordly waste of those scattered songs! in all the trees, in all the flowers, in every grass-blade, and every weed, the sun was warming and coaxing and soothing life into higher life.

And in those two on the path through the fields from Testbridge, the same sun, light from the father of lights, was nourishing highest life of all--that for the sake of which the Lord came, that he might set it growing in hearts of whose existence it was the very root.
Joseph and Mary were taking their walk together before the day's work should begin.

Those who have a good conscience, and are not at odds with their work, can take their pleasure any time--as well before their work as after it.

Only where the work of the day is a burden grievous to be borne, is there cause to fear being unfitted for duty by antecedent pleasure.