Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason.

Dear me, if men and women would only trust, understand, and help one another as my children do, what a capital place the world would be!

I have nothing to give but my heart so full and these empty hands." "They're not empty now.

Poor dull Concord. Nothing colorful has come through here since the Redcoats.

...and the most intense desire gave force to her passionate words as the girl glanced despairingly about the dreary room like a caged creature on the point of breaking loose.

It's a great comfort to have an artistic sister.

Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety; it shows itself in acts rather than words, and has more influence than homilies or protestations.