ng mind. She had been
fitting herself to be a teacher, and she had just the qualities which
would have made her an admirable teacher, a clear intellect, quick
observation, firm will, love of children, and a perfectly serene temper.
She had wished to teach, partly because she thought she should find it
an inspiring work, and partly because she wished to help the family. She
saw this was not to be, that in spite of herself she must be a burden on
the family. She met her altered circumstances with the same firm will
and cheerful temper she had shown from childhood. If she must be a
burden on others she would make that burden as light as she could. She
would not suggest that any one should sit in her darkened room all day,
however lonely she might be. She would not call upon others for the
hundred little services not absolutely necessary, but still so very
agreeable to one who is weak and helpless. On the other hand, she would
not exert herself rashly in the vain endeavor to wait on herself when
such an exertion was likely to injure her, and in the end to bring more
care on other people. She always spoke cheerfully even when her voice
could not rise above a whisper. She was ready to admit the sunshine the
moment she could bear the light. As she lay alone she tried to think of
some pleasant thing to say or do when any one should come in, and in
this way she beguiled the tedious hours.

Of course she had her reward. No one could be unwilling to take care of
one so unexacting. Moreover, although she often unavoidably taxed the
strength of her friends, she did so much to make them happy that nursing
her was a pleasant task. Her mother and sisters wished to be in her room
as much as possible, not for her sake, but for their own enjoyment. She
never asked them to read aloud to her, for instance, but she was such an
appreciative listener that they could never be quite satisfied with
reading any interesting book to themselves. They enjoyed it doubly with
her wise and witty comments. She had a keen sense of humor which it has
always seemed to me goes a long way in broadening any life,--and
naturally everybody saved the best jokes to relate in her room. She was
frequently too ill to laugh without danger of a hemorrhage, but she soon
learned to control herself so that she laughed with her eyes alone. The
girls from the village, instead of feeling it a duty to visit her in
her sickness, considered it a privilege to be admitted to her ro