'That is my duty just now.' "I could never have risen to such a height.
"She never spoke bitterly except once, when Susan said something about spring being here at last, and Gertrude said, "'Can the spring really come this year ?' "Then she laughed--such a dreadful little laugh, just as one might laugh in the face of death, I think, and said, "'Observe my egotism.

Because I, Gertrude Oliver, have lost a friend, it is incredible that the spring can come as usual.

The spring does not fail because of the million agonies of others--but for mine--oh, can the universe go on ?' "'Don't feel bitter with yourself, dear,' mother said gently.

'It is a very natural thing to feel as if things couldn't go on just the same when some great blow has changed the world for us.

We all feel like that.' "Then that horrid old Cousin Sophia of Susan's piped up.