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Show 237 enjoy her grandchildren, and be active in the clubs in which she held membership. "Oh, I just must do my very best," she says in this letter, underscoring it herself. While it is perfectly true that the pleasure principle was not as popular then as now, there were people who were not putting themselves out too much in living through their autumns and winters. Li 11ie Freeze is a case in point. She was Ellis's friend and companion in the Salt Lake days of the Sugar House Ward when Ellis was bearing her first five children. They worked together later, too, in church and civic assignments. In 1919 when Ellis, at 72, was in California for work, but spending a few days as guest of Sister Freeze, she says somewhat transparently-after acknowledging the fine hospitality-that she wonders how people can be content, day after day, merely looking after their own comfort. But back seven years to where we were: On November 7, 1912, she writes to her Ladybird some oblique hints that adversity is a good teacher; encourages her to attend her meetings and try to favorably influence the youth of Zion; tells of delivering Iretta Jackson's baby boy and being glad that she can now get on to her other work; ends with the comment that it does seem strange that her little girl is now a wage earner and how she would love to hold her sweet precious darling in her arms tonight and listen to her dear voice. Today's teenager would say, "Yuk!" The more dignified young woman of 23-Nellie's age-would likely say, "Really, Mother!" Ellis goes south to Sanpete County in early December to teach |
