“Ha, ha,” said the Furnace, as the pieces of coal were being shoved in; “ha, ha,” he laughed. “So they’re becoming anxious to have me working again.
“And I believe they never gave me a moment’s thought all summer long. I’m sure they didn’t. I feel quite certain of it.
“And then they wonder why at times I act crossly and queerly and why I get upset at times. I try not to, but of course when I get thinking of how no one gives the poor old Furnace a thought all summer long, then I can’t help but get upset.
“And when I get upset they all grumble about me, as if I mustn’t get upset, no matter how I may feel.
“Well, it’s a bit unfair. But I try to rise above it and give them heat and no smoke; warmth and no trouble.
“I suppose things aren’t appreciated until they are needed. I’ve heard that window-shades or blinds or whatever one wants to call them have been so good about hiding the light from people’s eyes when they were sleepy, and then when they are old and had holes in them, they were horribly complained about, though never a ‘thank you’ did they get when they were doing their good work.
“And no one ever says:
“‘Ah, what a good pair of socks you are, my dear,’ or, ‘What a lovely pair of stockings you are, Nice Pair.’
“Yet so soon as a hole comes, how they grumble!”
“You’re very useful,” said a piece of coal, “but you aren’t the whole thing. We’re all needed. Matches are needed. Sticks and paper are needed when you are started. Some one is needed to watch over you.
“You require a great deal of watching. You must have a nurse, or furnace man, or watcher of some sort looking after you.
“So, Furnace, you mustn’t become too conceited.” And the Furnace thought the coal was right.