"She is like the evening star, my father says, and I always look out at night to see if it is shining.

You know, Phebe, when we row her up the river, my father and me, we keep quite quiet, only nodding at one another which way to pull, and she sits silent with eyes that shine like stars.

We would not speak for anything, not one little word, lest we should disturb her.

My father says she is a great genius; not at all like other people, and worth thousands and thousands of common women.
But I don't think you are a common woman, Phebe," he added, lifting up his eager face to hers, as if afraid of hurting her feelings, "and my father does not think so, I know." "Your father has known me all my life, and has always been my best friend," said Phebe, with a pleasant smile.

"But I am a working-woman, Felix, and your mother is a lady and a great genius.