I was just wiping my eyes and preparing to pick up the pieces when you came in.

Perhaps you thought I was crying over it.

Can you imagine me in tears ?" she added humorously.
"Hardly," said Grace with a frank smile that was reflected on the tall young woman's face.
"No, I am not one of the weeping kind," she declared sturdily.

"I come of good, old, undaunted New England stock.

My name is Patience Eliot and I live just outside Boston.