“But one’s very bestest is poor and weak after that,” said Marjorie, earnestly. “I’m simply ashamed to look at a piano.”
“Do not feel that. Do your best faithfully, and be patient with yourself. One need never be ashamed of one’s best. Fortunately, it’s no disgrace not to be a genius, which is a great consolation for all of us commonplace people. You need only be ashamed of a low standard. Aim high, and keep your eyes fixed on your goal, my girls. That’s the secret of success.”
CHAPTER XI
A VISIT TO MOSINA.
“Mamma, may I take Hilda to see Mosina this morning?” asked Cricket, the next day at breakfast. “The girls are going to the Museum, and we don’t want to go very much, and I do want Hilda to see our cunning Mosina.”
“Oh, I’m rather afraid, dear,” hesitated mamma. “You’ve never been there alone, you know. I’m not quite sure that it’s perfectly safe for you to go by yourselves. Is it, papa?”
“Down in——Street? Why—yes—I think so. Are you sure you know the way, Cricket?”
“Perfectly sure, papa. What harm could come to us? Do let us! I know Mosina is just wild to see us. Oh, Hilda, she is the cutest thing! She’s just like a little roll of butter, with blue buttons for eyes; they’re so round.”
“Hilda, if you ever feel any inclination to adopt a little sister—” began Doctor Ward, with twinkling eyes, but Cricket went straight on:
“She’s the fattest thing you ever saw. She’s all creases. She looks just as if she had strings tied around her legs and arms—regular corduroy arms.”
“I’d love to see her. Do let us go, Mrs. Ward. We’ll be very careful and not get lost.”