Life on a small prairie farm was certainly hard for a woman; for a man it was bracing, although it needed pluck and resolution.

Festing had both qualities, perhaps in an unusual degree, and his point of view was essentially practical.

He had grappled with so many difficulties that he regarded them as problems to be solved and not troubles to complain about.

He believed that what was necessary or desirable must be done, no matter how hard it was.

One considered only the best way of removing an obstacle, not the effort of mind and body it cost.