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Show 76 are up early for "reading and study." At this juncture, Ellis begins to feel her "dormant energies awakening." But there is more sickness and discouragement ahead for her, and it is not until January 13, 1873 that we learn part of the reason. For three months, since October, 1872, "Maggie's baby has been sick and the household duties have fallen upon me." What was Lizzie, her early-morning study partner, doing during that interval? Very likely she had the responsibility of caring for all of the children. The year-end family chat "reviewing the past-trying to come to a better understanding with the view to becoming more united, and making resolutions for future improvement" does not have a salubrious effect until Maggie's baby's health improves and she acquires a young girl's help, and then assumes some household responsibilities. By a new plan devised in a family council, Maggie is to become wholly responsible for household duties for six weeks, to be followed by Lizzie for the same length of time, then by Ellis, who acknowledges: ...It is a tax upon the strength and upon the mind but I realize that it will give greater scope for displaying judgment, discretion, tact and executive powers. It will test us in every particular and prove what we are.'0 Returning briefly to the three-month period when Ellis bore the physical burdens of the household, we see a wistful acknowledgment that, on New Year's Day of 1873, It was some hours in the morning before I could wholly dispel the gloom of the day previous, but in the bustle of preparing dinner for company I forgot my despondency, and I endeavored to appear as happy and make others as happy as |
