Youcouldn’tfindoutwhethertheyhadpureblood，truehearts，orcleansouls。NogirlcouldbesoverymuchprettierthanShelley；theysimplywerenotmadethatway。Sheknewhowtobehave；shehaditbeatenintoher，likeallofus。Andsheknewherbooks，whatourschoolscouldteachher，andGroveville，andLucy，whohadcitychancesforyears，andthereneverwasadayatourhousewhenbooksandpaperswerenotreadanddiscussed，andyourspellingwashammeredintoyoustandinginrowsagainstthewall，andmemorytests——whatonearthcouldbethematterwithShelleythatamanwhocouldmakeherlookandactasshedidatChristmas，wouldnowmakeherunhappy？SometimesIwantedtobegrownupdreadfully，andagain，timeslikethat，Iwishedmybedcouldstayinmother’sroom，andIcouldcreepbehindfather’spaperandgotosleepbetweenhiscoatandvest，andhavehimwarmmyfeetinhishandsforever。
Thisworldwastoomuchforme。IneverworkedandworriedinallmylifeasIhadoverLaddieandthePrincess，andLaddiesaidI，myself，neverwouldknowhowIhadhelpedhim。Ofcoursenothingwassettled；hehadtotrytomakeherlovehimbyteachingherhowlovablehewas。Weknew，becausewealwayshadknownhim，butshewasastrangerandhadtolearn。Itwasmightyfineforhimthathecouldforcehiswaypastthedogs，Thomas，theothermen，herhalf-crazyfather，andthroughthelockeddoor，andgotheretotrytomakehersee，onSundaynights，andweekdays，everysinglechancehecouldinvent，andhecouldthinkupmorereasonsforgoingtoPryors’thanmothercouldforputtingoutanextrawash。
NowjustasIgotsettledalittleabouthim，andwecouldseetheyreallywantedhimthere，atleastthePrincessandhermotherdid，andMr。PryormusthavebeenfairlydecentorLaddieneverwouldhavegone；andthePrincesscametoourhousetobringmethingstoeat，andaskhowmotherwas，andoncetolearnhowsheembroideredSally’sweddingchemise，andsocialthingslikethat；andwhenfatheractedasifhelikedhersomuchhehadn’tawordtosay，andmotherseemedtobegintofeelasifLaddieandthePrincesscouldbetrustedtofixitupaboutGod；
andtheoldmysterydidn’tmatterafterall；why，hereShelleypoppedupwithanothermystery，anditbelongedtous。ButwhateverailedthatmanIcouldn’tpossiblythink。Ithadgottobehim，forShelleywassoallrightatChristmas，itmadeherlookthatprettywehardlyknewher。
IwasthinkingaboutheruntilIscarcelycouldstudymylessons，soIcouldrecitetoLaddieatnight，andnotfallsofarbehindatschool。MissAmeliaofferedtohearme，butIjustbeggedLaddie，andfathercouldseethathetaughtmefiftythingsinalessonthatyoucouldtelltolookatMissAmelia，sheneverknew。Why，hecouldn’thearmeread：