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 Josie caught the changed tone , and felt , with a thrill of joy , that her new friend was speaking to her now as to a comrade . ` It is an education in itself , and a lifetime is not long enough to teach you all his secret . But there is much to do before you can hope to echo his words . Have you the patience , courage , strength , to begin at the beginning , and slowly , painfully , lay the foundation for future work ? Fame is a pearl many dive for and only a few bring up . Even when they do , it is not perfect , and they sigh for more , and lose better things in struggling for them . ' The last words seemed spoken more to herself than to her hearer , but Josie answered quickly , with a smile and an expressive gesture : ' I got the bracelet in spite of all the bitter water in my eyes . ' ` You did ! I do n't forget it . A good omen . We will accept it . '
Miss XXXXX answered the smile with one that was like sunshine to the girl , and stretched her white hands as if taking some invisible gift .
Cameron Josie Shakespeare Siddons course hearer lifetime night something years