"I'm going to ask them to put a writing table in my room this morning," Martha announced. And when they were walking, later, she suggested that they go down to the little stores on Main Street. She wanted, she said, to buy some paper.
Emily was curious because of the quality and quantity of paper she ordered.
"What are you going to do with all that?" she asked, naturally, as they left the shop.
Then Martha made her announcement, grimly: "I'm going to write a novel."
Emily had supposed nothing could really surprise her ever again. She found she had been mistaken. She was thoroughly "taken aback."
Martha was suspicious of her silence. "Why shouldn't I write a novel?" she challenged.
"Why, how can you? How can you begin? I'd as soon—why, I'd as soon try to make a whole train!"
"I can begin. Don't you worry! It's no trick to write a novel!"
"Well——" murmured Emily, unable to agree.
"I made up my mind in the night; if nobody else will tell the truth, I will! Girls will know a thing or two when they get through with my novel, I'll bet!"