All summer she did her best , but accomplished very little , as she thought ; yet this was the teaching she most needed , and in time she came to see it . In the autumn May died , whispering , with her arms about her sister 's neck , -- `` You make me so happy , Sy , I would n't mind the pain if I could stay a little longer . But if I ca n't , good-by , dear , good-by . '' Her last look and word and kiss were all for Psyche , who felt then with grateful tears that her summer had not been wasted ; for the smile upon the little dead face was more to her than any marble perfection her hands could have carved . In the solemn pause which death makes in every family , Psyche said , with the sweet self-forgetfulness of a strong yet tender nature , -- `` I must not think of myself , but try to comfort them ; '' and with this resolution she gave herself heart and soul to duty , never thinking of reward . A busy , anxious , humdrum winter , for , as Harry said , `` it was hard times for every one . '' Mr. Dean grew gray with the weight of business cares about which he never spoke ; Mrs. Dean , laboring under the delusion that an invalid was a necessary appendage to the family , installed herself in the place the child 's death left vacant , and the boys needed much comforting , for the poor lads never knew how much they loved `` the baby '' till the little chair stood empty . All turned to Sy for help and consolation , and her strength seemed to increase with the demand upon it . Patience and cheerfulness , courage and skill came at her call like good fairies who had bided their time . Housekeeping ceased to be hateful , and peace reigned in parlor and kitchen while Mrs. Dean , shrouded in shawls , read Hahnemann 's Lesser Writings on her sofa . Mr. Dean sometimes forgot his mills when a bright face came to meet him , a gentle hand smoothed the wrinkles out of his anxious forehead , and a daughterly heart sympathized with all his cares . The boys found home very pleasant with Sy always there ready to `` lend a hand , '' whether it was to make fancy ties , help conjugate `` a confounded verb , '' pull candy , or sing sweetly in the twilight when all thought of little May and grew quiet . The studio door remained locked till her brothers begged Psyche to open it and make a bust of the child . A flush of joy swept over her face at the request , and her patient eyes grew bright and eager , as a thirsty traveller 's might at the sight or sound of water . Then it faded as she shook her head , saying with a regretful sigh , `` I 'm afraid I 've lost the little skill I ever had . '' But she tried , and with great wonder and delight discovered that she could work as she had never done before . She thought the newly found power lay in her longing to see the little face again ; for it grew like magic under her loving hands , while every tender memory , sweet thought , and devout hope she had ever cherished , seemed to lend their aid . But when it was done and welcomed with tears and smiles , and praise more precious than any the world could give , then Psyche said within herself , like one who saw light at last , -- `` He was right ; doing one 's duty is the way to feed heart , soul , and imagination ; for if one is good , one is happy , and if happy , one can work well . '' III `` She broke her head and went home to come no more , '' was Giovanni 's somewhat startling answer when Paul asked about Psyche , finding that he no longer met her on the stairs or in the halls . He understood what the boy meant , and with an approving nod turned to his work again , saying , `` I like that !
If there is any power in her , she has taken the XXXXX way to find it out , I suspect . ''
Dean Hahnemann Harry III Paul appendage left right self-forgetfulness twilight