The Wide Awake Girls in Winsted (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...she finished speaking, and all three sat looking at the fire for a few moments in silence. Presently Hannah said softly: "And they have 'Laetus sorte mea' for a motto? I can see how you could take it, Aunt Clara, for of course you have everything anybody could want. You are well and beautiful and good, and have money and talent and friends." Miss Lyndesay was silent and Hannah, who had been studying the flames reflectively, looked up presently to see why she made no reply. There was a grave expression on her face, and Hannah's grew startled. Miss Lyndesay, seeing the look of alarm in the child's eyes, smiled and took her hand. "Would you give up your father and mother for any or all of those things, Hannah dear?" she said. "O " cried Hannah in a hurt frightened tone, and Frieda suddenly choked back a sob. Miss Lyndesay lifted her head quickly. "Girls, do you realize the absurdity of us? Here we started out discussing: 'Happy in my lot' and in a few minutes we have grown sad with the 149 burden of sorrow of half the world and our own individual troubles besides That is anything but wise, isn't it? I didn't intend to preach to you when I invited you to Brookmeadow. But since we are on the subject, let's say a little more and then drop it. I do want you to remember that while the people who seem fortunate often have something to bear that offsets most of the pleasant circumstances of their lives, at the same time, many people who seem to have nothing to be glad about are persistently and genuinely joyful. The sad folk meet sadness everywhere, and the glad folk find gladness. Let me read you something, written by Sister Grace, who founded the order of Brave Poor Things about the time you girls were born, and then I refuse to say or hear another solemn word this evening " She took up a little pamphlet and read aloud: "To bear pain cheerfully, to...