Leicester had been nine and Jean seven when Dorinda went away ; now they were respectively fourteen and twelve . At first they were a little shy with this big , practically brand-new sister , but this soon wore off . Nobody could be shy long with Dorinda ; nobody could help liking her . She was so brisk and jolly and sympathetic -- a real Page , so everybody said -- while the brothers and sisters were Carter to their marrow ; Carters with fair hair and blue eyes , and small , fine , wistful features ; but Dorinda had merry black eyes , plump , dusky-red cheeks , and a long braid of glossy dark hair , which was perpetually being twitched from one shoulder to another as Dorinda whisked about the house on domestic duties intent . In a week Dorinda felt herself one of the family again , with all the cares and responsibilities thereof resting on her strong young shoulders . Dorinda and her mother talked matters out fully one afternoon over their sewing , in the sunny south room where the winds got lost among the vines halfway through the open window . Mrs. Page sighed and said she really did not know what to do . Dorinda did not sigh ; she did not know just what to do either , but there must be something that could be done -- there is always something that can be done , if one can only find it . Dorinda sewed hard and pursed up her red lips determinedly . `` Do n't you worry , Mother Page , '' she said briskly . `` We 'll be like that glorious old Roman who found a way or made it . I like overcoming difficulties . I 've lots of old Admiral Page 's fighting blood in me , you know . The first step is to tabulate just exactly what difficulties among our many difficulties must be ravelled out first -- the capital difficulties , as it were . Most important of all comes -- '' `` Leicester , '' said Mrs. Page . Dorinda winked her eyes as she always did when she was doubtful . `` Well , I knew he was one of them , but I was n't going to put him the very first . However , we will . Leicester 's case stands thus . He is a pretty smart boy -- if he was n't my brother , I 'd say he was a very smart boy .
He has gone XXXXX far in his studies as Willowdale School can take him , has qualified for entrance into the Blue Hill Academy , wants to go there this fall and begin the beginnings of a college course .
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