promptly given without losing a moment of time, gains enormously in
importance, and wins our gratitude more than a far more valuable
present given after long waiting and deliberation. One who gives so
readily must needs give with good will; he therefore gives
cheerfully and shows his disposition in his countenance.

III. Many who bestow immense benefits spoil them by their silence
or slowness of speech, which gives them an air of moroseness, as
they say "yes" with a face which seems to say "no." How much better
is it to join kind words to kind actions, and to enhance the value
of our gifts by a civil and gracious commendation of them! To cure
your friend of being slow to ask a favour of you, you may join to
your gift the familiar rebuke, "I am angry with you for not having
long ago let me know what you wanted, for having asked for it so
formally, or for having made interest with a third party." "I
congratulate myself that you have been pleased to make trial of me;
hereafter, if you want anything, ask for it as your right; however,
for this time I pardon your want of manners." By so doing you will
cause him to value your friendship more highly than that, whatever
it may have been, which he came to ask of you. The goodness and
kindness of a benefactor never appears so great as when on leaving
him one says, "I have to-day gained much; I am more pleased at
finding him so kind than if I had obtained many times more of this,
of which I was speaking, by some other means; I never can make any
adequate return to this man for his goodness."

IV. Many, however, there are who, by harsh words and contemptuous
manner, make their very kindnesses odious, for by speaking and
acting disdainfully they make us sorry that they have granted our
requests. Various delays also take place after we have obtained a