Go on with that sort of thing ; it trains the voice -- teaches shades of expression . You 've a good voice and natural grace -- great helps both , hard to acquire . ' ` Well , I 'm glad I 've got something , ' sighed Josie , sitting meekly on a stool , much crestfallen , but not daunted yet , and bound to have her say out . ` My dear little girl , I told you that you would not like what I should say to you ; yet I must be honest if I would really help you . I 've had to do it for many like you ; and most of them have never forgiven me , though my words have proved true , and they are what I advised them to be -- good wives and happy mothers in quiet homes . A few have kept on , and done fairly well . One you will hear of soon , I think ; for she has talent , indomitable patience , and mind as well as beauty . You are too young to show to which class you belong . Geniuses are very rare , and even at fifteen seldom give much promise of future power . ' ` Oh , I do n't think I 'm a genius ! ' cried Josie , growing calm and sober as she listened to the melodious voice and looked into the expressive face that filled her with confidence , so strong , sincere , and kindly was it . ' I only want to find out if I have talent enough to go on , and after years of study to be able to act well in any of the good plays people never tire of seeing . I do n't expect to be a Mrs Siddons or a Miss Cameron , much as I long to be ; but it does seem as if I had something in me which ca n't come out in any way but this . When I act I 'm perfectly happy . I seem to live , to be in my own world , and each new part is a new friend . I love Shakespeare , and am never tired of his splendid people . Of course , I do n't understand it all ; but it 's like being alone at night with the mountains and the stars , solemn and grand , and I try to imagine how it will look when the sun comes up , and all is glorious and clear to me . I ca n't see , but I feel the beauty , and long to express it . ' As she spoke with the most perfect self-forgetfulness Josie was pale with excitement , her eyes shone , her lips trembled , and all her little soul seemed trying to put into words the emotions that filled it to overflowing . Miss Cameron understood , felt that this was something more than a girlish whim ; and when she answered there was a new tone of sympathy in her voice , a new interest in her face , though she wisely refrained from saying all she thought , well knowing what splendid dreams young people build upon a word , and how bitter is the pain when the bright bubbles burst .
` If you feel this , I can give you no better advice than to go on loving and studying our great master , ' she said slowly ; but XXXXX caught the changed tone , and felt , with a thrill of joy , that her new friend was speaking to her now as to a comrade .
Cameron Josie Shakespeare Siddons girl night people promise whim years