A Girl of the Limberlost Quotes

“If you are lazy, and accept your lot, you may live in it. If you are willing to work, you can write your name anywhere you choose.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“I know men and women. An honourable man is an honourable man, and a liar is a liar; both are born and not made. One cannot change to the other any more than that same old leopard can change its spots.
After a man tells a woman the first untruth of that sort, the others come piling thick, fast, and mountain high.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“...The world is full of happy people but no one ever hears of them. You have to fight and make a scandal to get in the papers. No one knows about all the happy people...”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“There never was a moment in my life, when I felt so in the Presence, as I do now. I feel as if the Almighty were so real, and so near, that I could reach out and touch Him, as I could this wonderful work of His, if I dared. I feel like saying to Him: 'To the extent of my brain power I realize Your presence, and all it is in me to comprehend of Your power. Help me to learn, even this late, the lessons of Your wonderful creations. Help me to unshackle and expand my soul to the fullest realization of Your wonders. Almighty God, make me bigger, make me broader!”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“But Aunt Margaret doesn't like boys," objected Elnora.

"Well, she likes me, and I used to be a boy. ...”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“It was a boyish thing to do and it caught the hesitating girl in the depths of her heart, as the boy element in a man ever appeals to a motherly woman.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“It was a compound of self-reliance, hard knocks, heart hunger, unceasing work, and generosity. There was no form of suffering with which the girl could not sympathize, no work she was afraid to attempt, no subject she had investigated she did not understand. These things combined to produce a breadth and depth of character altogether unusual.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“When they reached her she stood on the path holding a pair of moths. Her eyes were wide with excitement , her cheeks pink, her red lips parted, and on the hand she held out to them clung a pair of delicate blue-green moths, with white bodies, and touches of lavender and straw colour. All about her lay flower-brocaded grasses, behind a deep green background of the forest, while the sun slowly sifted gold from heaven to burnish her hair. Mrs. Comstock heard a sharp breath behind her.
Oh, what a picture!" Exulted Ammon over sher shoulder. "She is absolutely and altogether lovely! Id give a small fortune for that faithfully set on canvas!”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“You haven't said yet weather I may help you while I am here"

Elnora hesitated.

You better say 'yes,'" he persisted.

It would be a real kindness. It would keep me out doors all day and give an incentive to work. I'm good at it. I'll show you if I am not in a week or so. I can 'sugar' manipulate lights, and mirrors, and all the expert methods. I'll wager moths are think int the old swamp over there"

They are," said Elnora. "Most I have I took there. A few nights ago my mother caught a good many, but we don't dare go alone"

All the more reason why you need me. Where do you live? I can't get an answer from you, I'll just go tell your mother who I am and ask her if I may help you. I warn you young lady, I have a very effective way with mothers. They almost never turn me down."

Then it's probable you will have a new experience when you meet mine," said Elnora. "She never was known to do what anyone expected she surely would.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“I object," said the man emphatically. He stopped work again and studied Elnora. Even the watching mother could not blame him. Against the embankment, in the shade of the bridge Elnora's bright head, and her lavender dress made a picture worthy of much contemplation.
I object!" repeated the man.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“Yes. He is Aunt Margaret's doctor, and he would be ours, only we are never ill."

Well you look it!" said the man, appraising Elnora at a glance.
Strangers always mention it," sighed Elnora. "I wonder how it would feel to be a pale languid lady and ride in a carriage."

Ask me!" laughed the man. "It feels like the- dickens!”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost

“Billy moved restlessly. "Seems like-seems like- towards night as if a body got kind o' lonesome for a woman person-like her." Billy indicated Margaret and then closed his eyes so tight his small face wrinkled.”
― Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost