Becky

           OfcoursethegreatestpowerSarapossessedandtheonewhichgainedherevenmorefollowersthanherluxuriesandthefactthatshewas"theshowpupil,"thepowerthatLaviniaandcertainothergirlsweremostenviousof,andatthesametimemostfascinatedbyinspiteofthemselves,washerpoweroftellingstoriesandofmakingeverythingshetalkedaboutseemlikeastory,whetheritwasoneornot.

           Anyonewhohasbeenatschoolwithatellerofstoriesknowswhatthewondermeans—howheorsheisfollowedaboutandbesoughtinawhispertorelateromances;howgroupsgatherroundandhangontheoutskirtsofthefavoredpartyinthehopeofbeingallowedtojoininandlisten.Saranotonlycouldtellstories,butsheadoredtellingthem.Whenshesatorstoodinthemidstofacircleandbegantoinventwonderfulthings,hergreeneyesgrewbigandshining,hercheeksflushed,and,withoutknowingthatshewasdoingit,shebegantoactandmadewhatshetoldlovelyoralarmingbytheraisingordroppingofhervoice,thebendandswayofherslimbody,andthedramaticmovementofherhands.Sheforgotthatshewastalkingtolisteningchildren;shesawandlivedwiththefairyfolk,orthekingsandqueensandbeautifulladies,whoseadventuresshewasnarrating.Sometimeswhenshehadfinishedherstory,shewasquiteoutofbreathwithexcitement,andwouldlayherhandonherthin,little,quick-risingchest,andhalflaughasifatherself.

           "WhenIamtellingit,"shewouldsay,"itdoesn’tseemasifitwasonlymadeup.Itseemsmorerealthanyouare—morerealthantheschoolroom.IfeelasifIwereallthepeopleinthestory—oneaftertheother.Itisqueer."