Are you going to write books or stories ?" "Books," said Marian calmly.
"Lovely!" cried Patty.

"Do two at once, won't you?
So you can dedicate one to Nan and one to me at the same time; I won't share my dedication with anybody." "You can laugh all you like," said Marian; "I don't mind a speck, for I'm sure I can do it; I've been talking to Miss Fischer, she's written lots of books, you know, and stories, too, and she says it's awfully easy if you have a taste for it." "Of course it is," said Patty; "that's just what I told you.

If you have a taste--good taste, you know--and plenty of will-power and stamps, you can write anything you want to; and I believe you'll do it.

Go in and win, Marian! You can put me in your book, if you want to." "Willpower isn't everything, Patty," said Nan, whose face had assumed a curious and somewhat wistful look; "at least, it may be in literature, but it won't do all I want it to." "What do you want, girlie ?" said Patty.

"I never knew you had an ungratified ambition gnawing at your heart-strings." "Well, I have; I want to be a singer." "You do sing beautifully," said Marian.