Well' Francie Decided, 'i Guess The Thing

It's Come At Last", She Thought, "the Time When You Can No Longer Stand Between Your Children And Heartache.

...the Reading, The Observing, The Living From Day To Day. It Was Something That Had Been Born Into Her And Her Only - The Something Different From Anyone Else In The Two Families. It Was What God Or Whatever Is His Equivalent Puts Into Each Soul That Is Given Life - The One Different Thing Such As That Which Makes No Two Fingerprints On The Face Of The Earth Alike.

Dear God," She Prayed, "let Me Be Something Every Minute Of Every Hour Of My Life. Let Me Be Gay; Let Me Be Sad. Let Me Be Cold; Let Me Be Warm. Let Me Be Hungry...have Too Much To Eat. Let Me Be Ragged Or Well Dressed. Let Me Be Sincere - Be Deceitful. Let Me Be Truthful; Let Me Be A Liar. Let Me Be Honorable And Let Me Sin. Only Let Me Be Something Every Blessed Minute. And When I Sleep, Let Me Dream All The Time So That Not One Little Piece Of Living Is Ever Lost.

I Wrote About People Who Liked Fake Fireplaces In Their Parlor, Who Thought A Brass Horse With A Clock Embedded In Its Flank Was Wonderful.

'dear God,' She Prayed, 'let Me Be Something Every Minute Of Every Hour Of My Life.'