Such was the friendship of Ruth and Naomi. Orpha loved Naomi, kissed
her, and returned satisfied to her early home; but Ruth cleaved unto her,
saying:

"Entreat me not to leave thee,
And to return from following after thee:
For whither thou goest, I will go;
Where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
Thy people shall be my people,
And thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die,
And there will I be buried:
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If aught but death part thee and me."

The keeping of a friend like the keeping of a fortune, lies in the getting,
although in friendship much depends upon circumstances of association.
However subtle may be the circumstances which bring friends together,
or whatever natural agreement may exist between their natures, still
there is always a conscious choosing of friends. In this choosing lies the
secret of abiding friendship. Young says:

"First on thy friend deliberate with thyself;
Pause, ponder, sift: not eager in the choice,
Nor jealous of the chosen; fixing fix;
Judge before friendship, then confide till death."

Steadfastness and constancy such as this seldom loses a friend.