Nor did she lack charm and grace of person.

From the first, in stature she was small and delicate, pale also in complexion; but her dark hair was plenteous and curling, and her eyes were large and of a deep and tender blue.

Her hands and feet were very slender, and her every gesture quick and agile as that of a bird.

Thus she grew up loving all things and beloved by all; for even the flowers which she tended and the creatures that she fed, seemed in her to find a friend.
Now of so much learning and all this system of solemn ordered hours, Nehushta did not approve.

For a while she bore with it, but when Miriam was about eleven years of age, she spoke her mind to the Committee and through them to the governing Court of Curators.
Was it right that a child should be brought up thus, she asked, and turned into a grave old woman whilst, quite heedless of such things, others of her age were occupied with youthful games?
The end of it might be that her brain would break and she would die or become crazy, and then what good would so much wisdom do her?
It was necessary that she should have more leisure and other children with whom she could associate.
"White-bearded hermits," she added with point, "were not suitable as sole companions to a little maid." Thereon followed much debate and consultation with the doctors, who agreed that friends of her own years should be found for the child.
This, however, proved difficult, since among these Essenes were no other girls.