Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite de Angeli

(Providence: Cluny, 1957/2025), 220

"Brus and Jan, like all boys of good family in this early time, a thousand years ago, were required to learn all manner of skills. They must learn to carve letters on a rune stick. How else might they leave messages or record events? They must learn the art of poetry, so necessary for the remembrance of the deeds of heroes to be told in sagas. For the rhythm of poetry helps remembrance. They must learn the laws of the land so they could take their places at the gathering where all people of the district met each year to settle disputes, to sentence those who had broken laws, to hear news exchanged and sagas sung, to test their strength in games and wrestling. They must learn draughts and chess to while away the long hours of winter darkness." (4)
"Aye, we have many skills. I’m glad our father taught us." (5)
"Oft where one looks for foes, one finds friends." (10)
"It is good when people laugh together. Then, be the cold as chill as the snow on the montain, or the mist as heavy as the cloud he wears for a hat, there is warmth in the heart." (89-90)
"He remembered his teaching through childhood. Be ready! Ready for anything. Ready to make friends; ready to meet foes; ready to escape danger. Ready!" (94)
"We pray and hope that a better time will come. Let us complain to God above all that He will remember us in this plight." (97)
Simplicity and hardness of living, gave these warriors strength and endurance. (163)

Topic: Kid's Books

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Created: 2025-12-17-Wed
Updated: 2026-03-04-Wed