Eleanor H. Porter

“ Since then the great pianist had been to Sister Sue the living embodiment of her own dreams. Hidden away in Sister Sue's desk was a little drawer containing pictures, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, anything and everything—that showed her fame or mentioned her name—that could be found. Over them Sister Sue had pored many times till she knew them all by heart. And to have before her now that wondrous being in the flesh, talk to her, hear her talk—! Even now Sister Sue could not believe but what she had fallen asleep over her desk of treasures at home, and was dreaming. ”

“ Opportunity to make her life really 'worth while,'" emphasized the lady with a meaning smile. "Of course, if there had been no crippled mother, or weak-kneed father, or harum-scarum children who needed her, why, then let her paint her pictures. But when she calls her life 'barren'—well, I'm going to write to my friend Mary and see if I can convince her of her blindness of being needed!"
"Needed—needed!" Sister Sue echoed the words just above her breath.
"The very greatest blessing there is, as we who are not needed know only too well. If some one needs you, you are happy, indeed. ”

“ Signor Bartoni, watch in hand, had given a sudden exclamation:
"My pupil! It is past time! Look!" he cried. "But, listen. Can you wait? She is the last to-day. One little half-hour and she will be gone. Then I talk to you. You'll wait?"
"Yes, oh, yes! I shan't mind waiting a bit!" cried Sister Sue, gathering up her music and hurrying toward the door.
In the outer room they found a young woman, and a very handsome, distinguished-looking older woman. Toward the latter Signor Bartoni rushed, with outstretched hands, even more excitedly than he had toward Sister Sue a short time before. ”