Such grandmothers, such mothers as those, were "the kind of mothers that men must worship," says Sarah Comstock in _The Soddy_ as she describes the trials of women in present-day pioneering; and she adds, "worshiping mothers makes men great!" Is it not clear where the true greatness of America lies? If there are old men living who are the sons of such mothers, though they may be worshipers of the memory of their heroism, if those sons have any spark of chivalry remaining in their bosoms, they will wish that their mothers had lived to-day instead of then, that their labor might be lessened by modern work-saving methods and their lives brightened by modern amplitude of resource. The practical executive ability of those great women of one, two, and three generations ago should be the inheritance of the Country Girls of to-day, and their faithful examples should be an inspiration to them. But the loyal descendants of those self-sacrificing and sacrificed women should say that they will do all in their power to make the time come swiftly when there shall be a new day in the kitchen, a day when the housework may be a joy and not a burden to press the strength and buoyancy out of the young spirits of those who prefer--if they can get themselves to be brave enough--to enter upon the long service of life in the environment of the open country. CHAPTER IX THE DAUGHTER'S SHARE OF THE WORK THE KITCHEN O little room, wherein my days go by Each like to each, yet each one set apart For special duties ... nearest to my heart Art thou of all the house ... in thee I try New issues when the old ones go awry, And with new victories allay the smart Of dismal failures; and afresh I start With courage new to conquer or to die. O simple walls, no pictures break thy calm! O simple floor uncarpeted below! The inward eye has visions for its balm, And duty done is solace for each woe, And every modest tool that hangs in view Is fitted for the work it has to do. _Helen Coale Crew._ CHAPTER IX THE DAUGHTER'S SHARE OF THE WORK