Explore "Poor and Proud" by Oliver Optic on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Katy Redburn was only eleven years old, and not a very accomplished / cook; but as the children learn faster in the homes of the poor than in / the dwellings of the rich, she had a very tolerable idea of the / management of a frying-pan. The operation of cleaning the flounders was / the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed. She cut / her fingers with the knife, and scratched and pricked her hands with / the sharp bones; but she was resolute, and finally accomplished the / task to her entire satisfaction. An occasional direction from her / mother enabled her to cook the fish properly, and dinner was ready. / There were still a few small stores left in the closet, and Katy made a / cup of tea for her mother, and with it placed the delicate little / flounder by the side of the bed. The invalid had no appetite, but to / please Katy she ate a portion of the fish and bread though it was very / hard work for her to do so. The little girl, gladdened by this unwonted / sight, made a hearty meal, without a thought of the trials and sorrows / which the future might have in store for them.
When she had put away the dishes, and placed everything in order, she / washed herself, combed her hair, sewed up a great rent in her dress, / and otherwise attempted to make herself as tidy as possible for the / mission she was about to undertake.