Great philosophers and profound metaphysicians should by rights have lived at Slumberleigh.

Those whose lines have fallen to them "ten miles from a lemon," have time to think, if so inclined.
Only elementary natures complain of their surroundings; and though at first Ruth had been impatient and depressed, after a time she found that, better than to live in an atmosphere of thought, was to be thrown entirely on her own resources, and to do her thinking for herself.
Some minds, of course, sink into inanition if an outward supply of nutriment is withheld.

Others get up and begin to forage for themselves.
Happy are these--when the transition period is over--when, after a time, the first and worst mistakes have been made and suffered for, and the only teaching that profits anything at all, the bitter teaching of experience, has been laid to heart.
Such a nature was Ruth's, upright, self-reliant, without the impetuosity and impulsiveness that so often accompanies an independent nature, but accustomed to look at everything through her own eyes, and to think, but not till now to act for herself.
She had been brought up by her grandmother to believe that before all things _noblesse oblige_; to despise a dishonorable action, to have her feelings entirely under control, to be intimate with few, to be courteous to all.

But to help others, to give up anything for them, to love an unfashionable or middle-class neighbor, or to feel a personal interest in religion, except as a subject of conversation, had never found a place in Lady Deyncourt's code, or consequently in Ruth's, though, as was natural with a generous nature, the girl did many little kindnesses to those about her, and was personally unselfish, as those who live with self-centred people are bound to be if there is to be any semblance of peace in the house.
But now, new thoughts were stirring within her, were leavening her whole mind.

All through these monotonous months she had watched the quiet routine of patient effort that went to make up the sum of Mr.Alwynn's life.