Mary Stewart Cutting

“ Cecilia's pink-and-white frock, as well as one cheek and her light curls, was plastered with mud; her mouth was smeared to her chin with blood.
"Now don't be frightened," said Cousin Lizzie volubly; she herself looked white. "It is really nothing. What is a tooth compared with a life?" ”

“ He squared himself, his eyes looking resolutely down at her, his jaws set, though his voice was even. "I can't stand this breakfast racket any more, Mother; it puts me all on edge for the day. If I choose to stay in bed half an hour longer—sometimes I don't get to sleep very early—and go off without my breakfast, it's got to be my own lookout."
"But, Vane! When you don't consider your father's wishes——"
"Dad doesn't mind half as much as you think he does—not half so much as you do, Mother. He knows I'm old enough to know what I want to do. ”

“ Even she herself, if you came down to that, in her own little daily round—— But she swiftly quenched the personal thought with its rising antagonism.
"I suppose very few women out of their teens really feel well all the time," she hazarded soberly. She turned her kind gaze on her hostess. "And how are you?"
"Oh, I'm all right," said Mrs. Irving hardily, but with mist over the eyes that met the others. "Of course the care of a house and family does wear on one's nerves; sometimes I feel as if I'd go wild with all the demands on me. The problems are so never-ending! ”

“ Seven people had been rescued from a spectacular fire, in a building which Mr. Irving had once occupied, through the continued efforts of one special fireman who had himself succumbed afterward. Cousin Lizzie made little murmurs of interest during the recital, with exclamations of horror at the end; everyone said how brave the poor fireman was to stay at his post.
"Well, that was his job," said Mr. Irving hardily. He folded the paper. "Jack, don't make such disgusting noises when you eat. Where is Vane, Marla? Why can't that boy ever get down to breakfast on time?" ”

“ No one can be more particular than I," said Cousin Lizzie with dignity. "Is there anything more you would like to have me do here, Marla?"
"Thank you, nothing more," said Mrs. Irving with outward calm, but deep inward resentment. She escaped upward.
Why did everyone come to her with all the disagreeable happenings? This was a fine beginning to the day, indeed; she felt weak before it had well started, with those other anxieties already gnawing at her—Farnham's troubles, so vitally a part of living, and, what struck deeper yet, this affair of Lily's. Mrs. Irving always arranged her own room ”

“ Rupert was somewhat older; handsome, if you liked the style, rather delicate, and with little effeminate ways; he had money. Mrs. Irving disliked him intensely; she thought him vain. If he was meeting Lily oftener than she mentioned——
If only Cousin Lizzie hadn't told her about that letter! Mrs. Irving knew that it would be on her mind all day, and she really ought not to have to worry; anything that distressed her took just so much strength out of her. And if Farnham's "deal" didn't go through to-day, what would become of them? ”

“ She felt quite collectedly—in spite of this queer goneness, as if life were slowly oozing away—that she could stand no more sapping anxieties, no more nerve-racking grievances, little or big. Those around her would have to be made to understand that they must keep their difficulties to themselves, they must get along the best they could without her help ”

“ She thought suddenly with a pitying horror of that poor woman down the street, who now could see neither husband nor children, her nerves and willpower gone beyond control, lapped around with every comfort into her writhing self, with a nullification of every joy, as well as care. ”

“ Vane was twenty-two, dark, handsome, forceful looking, and at the moment with an enigmatic expression as he met his mother's gaze.
"Good morning." His salutation embraced the table. "I don't want any breakfast." His hand waved off a protest. "No, Mother! I don't want any; I'll get something to eat in town. I've got to stop at the tailor's for my coat on the way to the station. Good-bye!" He had kissed her and was already gone.
"Mother, Ellen has given me cold mutton sandwiches for my lunch when she knows I hate cold mutton," clamoured Cecilia. "Mother, I can't eat cold mutton ”

“ You've got to have your breakfast in bed after this, for a while."
"No, no! Please not!" besought the mother. "I want to be down with the rest of you. I——"
"Well, you're not going to—for a while, anyway; that's settled! Father was telling us about things. I'm going to stop the music lessons till after Christmas, my voice needs a rest anyway; and Cousin Lizzie and I are going to do the work while she's here. She says it drives her crazy sitting around doing nothing. I know I can learn to cook a thousand times more economically than Ellen. And Jack and Cecilia will help wash dishes. ”

“ But the phrase "You can't do anything without your health" always moved her hotly to combat; she knew of so many people who did do so very much without it! Why, most of the great work of the world had been accomplished by men and women handicapped by physical weakness or recurring ailment. ”

“ Irving made an ejaculation of distress. "Lily shouldn't have spoken like that; she is very quick-tempered, like her father, but it is soon over; not that I am excusing her at all, Cousin Lizzie. You know young girls do mind some things so much. ”

“ Sit down; you look tired." He placed the chair for her, and closed the door before he came to stand in front of her. "I've got something I want to say—— By the way, if you think Jack's studying his lessons when you send him upstairs you're much mistaken; he reads 'The Three Midshipmen' instead. If he takes my best neckties, as he's been doing, he'll get a good thrashing."
"Oh, Vane!" ”