ange, I have only just now found it out."

Then drawn on by the loving sympathy expressed, she unburdened her
heart to Aunt Deborah, keeping back nothing. "But then, what am I
telling all this to you for? Nobody can help me. I have at times
realised that I was growing very irritable, and was ashamed of it.
Then I would resolve that I would not do so any more, but my resolves
are like ropes of sand. I get started and can't stop. I think if
human beings were like sewing-machines, and when they get out of
order, could have some skilful hand just put a drop of oil here and
there, and loosen the tension or something, it would be so good. But
things do annoy me so, sometimes it seems as if Satan himself planned
things out to vex me.

"I make no doubt," said Aunt Deborah, "but that Satan is busy enough,
but sometimes I think he gets more set down to his account than
rightfully belongs. He couldn't accomplish half he does with us if we
didn't help him. We put ourselves in such a condition that it is
easy for him to carry us captive. But you said 'nobody could help
you.' Now I believe I can help you. I came very near being
shipwrecked once myself on these very rocks you have struck. It will
never do to give up, and go to groaning when we get into trouble.
What you want is to get out of it. To help you in the best way, you
must give me an old woman's privilege, and let me speak my mind
freely. I think I know the secret of the trouble. Your nerves are
sick--people used to think that meant hysterics, but they know better
now. You are overworking these sick nerves. The first thing to be
done is for you to get relief from everything that tries you, as far
as you can. Treat yourself like an invalid, as you are. Then change
your way of life entirely: go out a good deal in the air, read, and
talk, and sing, and play on the piano--you used to be a good player,
I remember. Let the housework and the sewing be done by somebody
else, except what you can do without a strain upon yourself. Then I
should be a little careful about my dress, to have it becoming and
all that, and I would invite in a little company once in a while, and
go out in a sociable way a little, and try to make my home just the
brightest, cheeriest place in all the world. Economy is good in its
place, but I believe Satan is even at the bottom of that sometimes,
when we drive our boys and girls out from home by saving coal and
gas, and shutting the sun out of our houses--t