To be strong, and beautiful, and go round making music all the time. Yes, she could do that, and with a very earnest prayer Polly asked for the strength of an upright soul, the beauty of a tender heart, the power to make her life a sweet and stirring song, helpful while it lasted, remembered when it died.

Good, old-fashioned ways keep hearts sweet, heads sane, hands busy.

Girls could do most things as well as boys, and some things better.

I believe that it is as much a right and duty for women to do something with their lives as for men and we are not going to be satisfied with such frivolous parts as you give us.

[She was] kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for him.

…misfortune was much more interesting to her than good luck.

I don't like favors; they oppress and make me fell like a slave. I'd rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent.