Sights and Insights, Patience Strong’s Story and 50 similar items

Excerpt from Sights and Insights, Vol. 1: Patience Strong's Story of Over the Way: A railway ride is such a good chance to read things that are not printed. That little picture of Mrs. Regis, which I took off without her knowledge or my own, at the moment, came out so very clear before me; it seemed to tell me a whole story. Afterward, I came to know something of how much my first impression might be worth I have yet a great deal, I dare say, if we go on to get acquainted, both to verify and to rectify. It is funny what a mixture of surprising facts and mistaken conclusions these first impressions Often turn out to be. But I always take care of that first negative. It is a key; if you don't turn the lock the wrong way with it. She was so very handsome, to begin with; sitting there alone in the one large, deep-cushioned rocking-chair before the fire, that crackled with its first Clean, morning brightness; her feet, pretty and trim, though not so very small, set comfortably, in a ladylike way, on the low fender. And she was so fresh and comfortable. I described her just now, as we often describe, and credit to minor details, that which gives the mood and color to our general apprehension, when I spoke about the fire. Crackling with the first clean morning brightness. That was what she was, and what I have noticed her always since to be. There came an electric perception, of freshness all over, with just looking at her. She gave a sensation Of how nice it was to be just up, and bathed, and dressed. As Mrs. Gradgrind, or a more cheerful person, might have said, there was a face in the room pink and smooth with good rest, and cold water, and the pleasantness of, a morning blaze, and you didn't know whether it was somebody's else or yours. Really, looking at her, it didn't seem to make much difference, the sense of it was so keen.