“Phebe’s andirons. They mean home, and even if the house had burned, they couldn’t have burned. Because they’re strong. Do you understand that, Carla? ‘A most sturdy courage to endure.’ That’s what really matters. Do you see, dear?” She did not hear the girl’s answer, but she did not need to, for it seemed to her that the little room became illumined with a golden light. She knew the light came from the house, and from the sea outside, and from beyond the sky that covered them all. But it seemed to her that the light flowed brightest of all from the ever-replenished lantern that is passed down
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