Queenie's whim, Volume 1 (of 3)

"A little way, a very little way (Life is so short), they dig into the rind, And they are very sorry, so they say,-- Sorry for what they find."--_Jean Ingelow._

"O shun, my friend, avoid that dangerous coast, Where peace expires and fair affection's lost; By wit, by grief, by anger urged, forbear The speech contemptuous and the scornful...

Solitary confinement was a favorite mode of punishment at Granite Lodge; visits of condolence from sympathizing friends were sternly interdicted. Nevertheless, many small culpri...

"We fell to work and feasted like the gods, Like laborers, or like eager workhouse folk At Yule-tide dinner; or, to say the whole At once, like tired, hungry, healthy youth." _J...

"Why what a pettish, petty thing I grow, A mere, mere woman, a mere flaccid nerve, A kerchief left all night in the rain, Turned soft so--over-tasked and over-strained And over-...

Queenie Marriott was right in asserting that she never failed to undertake anything to which she had really made up her mind. Strong impulses were rare with her; but now and the...

"The path my father's foot Had trod me out (which suddenly broke off And passed) alone I carried on, and set My child-heart 'gainst the thorny underwood To reach the grassy shel...

"Cometh sunshine after rain; After mourning joy again; After heavy, bitter grief Dawneth surely sweet relief! And my soul, who from her height Sunk to realms of woe and night, W...

Caleb Runciman had told Queenie that Mr. Calcott was seriously ill; but the girl had received the news with indifference, making no comments. "What was his life--his useless, lo...

"Thy love Shall chant itself its own beatitudes, After its own life wailing. A child kiss, Set on thy sighing lips, shall make thee glad; A poor man, served by thee, shall make...

"If we were to form an image of dignity in a man, we should give him wisdom and valor, as being essential to the character of manhood. In the like manner, if you describe a righ...

In spite of the seclusion in which they lived, and the loneliness of their surroundings, they showed a perfection of breeding and a freedom of idea that surprised and delighted...

"Children, ay, forsooth, They bring their own love with them when they come, But if they come not there is peace and rest; The pretty lambs! and yet she cries for more: Why, the...

"Queen, this is our old friend Mr. Chester, commonly known in the district as the King of Karldale; he plays Damon to Garth's Pythias, and is a sort of useful Family Friend to u...

"Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident,-- It is the very place God meant for thee; And should'st thou there small scope for action see Do not for this give room to discontent...

"That them may'st pray for them thy foes are given; That thou may'st look to God I bring thee pain. I bring thee cares that thou may'st look to heaven; I bring thee fretful frie...