My health seemed to be hopelessly impaired. For two years I could not breathe through my nose, and was able to attend school but little. It seemed impossible for me to study and to retain what I learned. The same girl who was the cause of my misfortune was appointed monitor by our teacher, and it was among her duties to assist me in my writing and other lessons. She always seemed sincerely sorry for the great injury she had done me, although I was careful not to remind her of it. She was tender and patient with me, and seemed sad and thoughtful as she saw me laboring under serious disadvantages to get an education. {1T 12.3}

Min sundhed syntes at være håbløst svækket. I to år kunne jeg ikke trække vejret gennem min næse og var ikke i stand til at gå meget i skole. Det syntes umuligt for mig at studere og huske, hvad jeg lærte. Den samme pige, som forårsagede mit uheld, var udpeget til ordensduks af vor lærer, og en af hendes pligter var at hjælpe mig med at skrive og med andre lektier. Hun så altid ud til at være oprigtig ked af den store skade, hun havde påført mig, selvom jeg var påpasselig med ikke at (13) minde hende om det. Hun var nænsom og tålmodig med mig og forekom at være ked af det og eftertænksom, når hun så mig arbejde under ganske ugunstige forhold for at få en uddannelse.