The more rational way of tunneling through the hill or going around it had not yet dawned on our Dutch ancestors.

At every step of my journey to Troy I felt that I was treading on my pride, and thus in a hopeless frame of mind I began my boarding-school career.

I had already studied everything that was taught there except French, music, and dancing, so I devoted myself to these accomplishments.

As I had a good voice I enjoyed singing, with a guitar accompaniment, and, having a good ear for time, I appreciated the harmony in music and motion and took great delight in dancing.

The large house, the society of so many girls, the walks about the city, the novelty of everything made the new life more enjoyable than I had anticipated.