Anxious to know everything before giving counsel or comfort, Mrs Jo said quietly: 'Keep it, and tell me all about the "fancy".

Since I have stumbled on your secret, let me know how it came, and how I can help to make it lighter to bear.' 'You'll laugh; but I don't mind.

You always did find out our secrets and give us a lift.

Well, I never cared much for books, you know; but down yonder when the devil tormented me I had to do something or go stark mad, so I read both the books you gave me.

One was beyond me, till that good old man showed me how to read it; but the other, this one, was a comfort, I tell you.