I learned first to pull my own weight in the boat. Kids making a bob-sled have no use for the loafer who wants a free ride. Neither has the world. I learned to make the bed I slept in, and wash the glass I used, and mend what I broke, and mop up where I spilled. And if I was too lazy or too dainty or too busy, and left it for someone else, somebody else soon taught me different.

我最先学会了身为长女的责任。对一个想搭顺风车的流浪者来说，会做雪橇的孩子毫无用处。对这些孩子而言，世界也是如此。我学会了睡觉前自己铺床，洗自己用过的杯子，修补自己弄坏的东西，用拖布拖干自己溅到地上的水。如果我过于懒惰、挑剔或忙碌，而让别人来做这些事，马上就会有人教我不能这么做。

Then, the same way, I learned that anger is a waste. It hurts nobody but me. A fit of the sullens got short shrift in our house. It wasn't pulling my weight in the boat. It was spoiling sport. And among seven children it got me nowhere. It might reduce four o'cat to three o'cat, but the game went on just the same, and where was I? Out of it. Better go in and join the group around the piano and forget my grievance. Better still, next time don't fling down my bat in a tantrum; keep my temper, and stay in the game.

于是，我同样也明白了生气于事无补。除了我自己，它伤害不了任何人。在我们家里，闷闷不乐是不会有人搭理你的。尽管不是我的责任，但却会让人觉得扫兴。何况在7个孩子中间生闷气对我并没有好处。没有我，“4只小猫”的游戏变成“3只小猫”，一样可以玩得很好。而我呢？只能被排除在外了。最好的办法就是，忘掉自己的委屈，加入他们，和大家一起围着钢琴玩。还有，最好下次不要再乱发脾气；控制好自己的情绪，继续玩游戏。