For instance, Polly's intense love for her invalid mother has kept her from being selfish.

The straitened circumstances in which she has been compelled to live have prevented her from yielding to self-indulgence or frivolity.

Even her hunger for the beautiful has been a discipline; for since beautiful things were never given to her ready-made, she has been forced to create them.

Her lot in life, which she has always lamented, has given her a self-control, a courage, a power, which she never would have had in the world had she grown up in luxury.

She is too young to see it, but it is very clear to me that Polly Oliver is a glorious product of circumstances." "But," objected Edgar, "that is not fair.