Dear Diary, June 12, 1771 Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Patsy Henry. I am 16. My dad is Patrick Henry.

He is a lawyer in the American Revolution. He also is a part of the House of Burgess. My mom's name is Sarah Henry. I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers. Edward who is the youngest, Betsy who is the second youngest, Anne is the middle child, William who is the second oldest, John who is a year younger then me, and I am THE oldest. I am also living with my African-American slave whose name is Pegg. My mom just tried to drown my baby brother. I had to give her brandy to becalm her. My mom is going mentally insane. No Joke. I am the only one that knows right now. I don't want to think about my mom going insane. I remember the days when she would get on the floor and

play dolls with Betsy, and have long talks with me about how I feel about Papa being gone, and how I feel about, just life in general. I really miss my old mama, and I miss my Papa not being around, but I am really proud of my Papa for going out and being a part of the war. I don't know what I should do about mama. I have to watch the children constantly, AND make sure that Mama doesn't do any harm to herself or anyone. Well, I better get going. Check up on my Mama. I talk to you soon. ~Patsy Henry.

Dear Diary, June 12, 1771 I am back. Pegg locked Mama in the dry cellar as punishment for for trying to drown Edward. She told

Mama to stay in there for an hour and reflect on her actions. Pegg does not understand that Mama is mentally insane and sometimes doesn't know what she did wrong. If Mama came out, Pegg would have told Papa. I told my Mama that Pegg had no right to tell her that because, Pegg is supposed to following OUR orders, not the other way around. Pa will be sure to hear about this incident. Sometimes being the oldest stinks. You have a lot of responsibilities! I have more responsibilities the most girls my age because my Mama is not able to help take care of the family and do some of the chores. I have to take on my responsibilities as the oldest AND take on my Mama's responsibilities as well. MyJohn, who is my fiance, is sometimes around to help. I want to wed to him soon. I need his strong voice and

firm hand around here. Especially when the kids act up. He knows how to make them behave. Also, if he watches the kids, and Pegg takes care of the chores, it helps me out tremendously! I am so thankful to have MyJohn in my life. Well, I better go down and help Pegg tend to supper. I will be back tonight. Write you soon! ~Patsy Henry Dear Diary June 13, 1771 Sorry that I didn't write last night. I was super busy at the end of the night. Guess what I found out? Anne decided to tell MyJohn that Mama tried to drown Edward yesterday morning. I knew that I could not keep it quiet any longer. Pegg had turned my own sister against me,

and she locked Mama in the dry cellar. MyJohn told me that with Mama being ill, she senses something is wrong, and that the mistress of the house is weak. Pegg is taking over to help fill that weak spot. MyJohn offered to talk with Pegg, which I appreciated, but I told him I was going to do it because if I didn't, she would never respect me. I want to wed MyJohn! Sooner then planned actually. I need him to help me run the place when Pa is gone. Anne and William run like wild Indians, and Betsy looks up to me to teach her and guide her in the right direction. Pegg is telling the children nonsense stories about Chiswell and his grave. I don't understand what would posse her to do such a thing. I remember the days when I would sit on her lap, and she would tell me stories, she would be there for me,

and her arms were my refuge. Pegg is the one who had always go with me when I was invited to balls, routs, or barbecues at another plantation, but now that I am growing up, I am distancing myself from her. Which is a sign of growing up. Well, I better go talk to Pegg. Talk to you soon! ~Patsy Henry Dear Diary, June 13, 1771 I talked to Pegg. I got sass back, and for the first time, I stood up to her. I told her I won't take her attitude. Pegg eyes flicked to the ground when I told her that. She had NEVER been spoken to in that manner by me until today. I also told her to stop telling Anne ghost stories and to encourage her disobedience. Right as I was leaving Pegg told me that we should hire a wet nurse for Edward because my

Mama's mind is set to drown him, it's better to let him be nursed by someone whose intent isn't to drown the poor kid. She told me Delia was going to give birth soon, so she could nurse Edward. I didn't want to think about it , even though Pegg told me to. Super was okay. I didn't tell Mama that Pa was going to come home. I told my siblings not to say a word either. I decided that at super I would tell her. When I told her, I got the most shocking response back. I had expected her to be jumping up and down with joy, but no....instead she told me that apparently Pa died. She told me that he took the sick at the Charlotte County Courthouse. He had a bowel blockage and so Dr. Cabell gave him vial Mercury as a last resort, and it apparently killed him. My siblings didn't know what was going on. I told Silvy that they

needed to be taken away so I could talk to my Mama in private. I tried to explain to her that we live in Hanover County. I asked her what we be dong in Charlotte County, and she told me that we lived there when Pa was ''sick'', and when he offered himself as a candidate. She insisted that it was Delegates and that this was after he was elected Governor for the 6th time. I told Mama that Pa could never be governor because he was a Colonial and was accused of Treason, but she didn't listen. She is predicting things now and I am sorta scared. Well I better get to bed! Good night and write you later tomorrow! ~Patsy Henry Dear Diary, June 20 1771 It has been quite a while since I

have written. I am sorry I did not write like I promised. I have been really busy. MyJohn took me to see the asylum that Mama would have been stuck in, had we not done something about her. Mama told me that Pegg was about to poison her with her tea. Pegg doesn't quite understand that Mama is sick in the mind because Pegg was really surprised that Mama would have thought that because Pegg is the one of the African-American servants my grandpa(her daddy) gave when she wed. I don't even feel like God is here right now. If he really were here, he would not have made Mama this way. I don't see why God did this to our family. On the bright side, Delia had her baby last night! I was freaking out this morning that something had happened to Edward, but he is okay. He was taken down to the quarters

for Delia to nurse. Well it is time to go to breakfast. If anything exciting happens I will write back! ~Patsy Henry
Dear Diary June 20 1771 At breakfast this morning Anne decided she was going to tell us a wonderful story about divine vengeance. She told us that Richard Parson was playing cards in Raleigh Tavern and said that if he did not win the next round his flesh would rot and his eyes would never shut. Of course he apparently didn't win the game(according to Anne), and so a black spot that started out on his leg spread all over his body. He died in two days. His whole flesh was rotted and no one was able to shut his eyes. I thought that she was talking nonsense! I don't see how Pa can take her nonsense talk! She claims it was true, but I challenged that. I asked

her why his obituary wasn't in the Gazette but she says that it will be in there soon. I told her that Clementina Rind said no such thing. Guess what else!? She got this story from Pegg. Wow...shocker! Not...I can not believe Pa allows her to hang around with Pegg and let Pegg tell her all these nonsense ghost stories and the most terrible backwoods tales. My Pa made me sit at Mama's spot at the table because I am now the mistress of the house and our African-American servants need to know that. Dr. Hinde came to take a look at Mama. We were supposed to act normal but it is hard. He told me that Mama has taken up residence in her mind in some place far away from here. I was thinking ''Do we REALLY need YOU to tell us that!? We already knew that!'' He also told us that it is the worst for the person caring for her, but we had to accept it as it was

God's will. He also said that Pa's idea of putting her in the cellar with one of our servants to take care of her is the wisest way to go. God will call her home in his own time. I was trying hard not to cry. I just wanted to scream ''NOT FAIR! HOW COULD GOD DO THIS TO OUR FAMILY! IT'S NOT FAIR!''. Had I done that, Pa would have not liked it. Pa left before our noon meal. I was sorta upset about that. Pa told me that I was in charge. I told him that Anne never listens to me. He told me that I had the authority over her and for her to please me, I had to show I was pleased with her. Ignore the little mistakes she makes. I remember he told me Authority corrupts, like power. He told me it would corrupt me. I told him I drank some of the tea and he was angry that I did, because we are not allowed to drink tea. I told him I drank it to see if Mama was right about Pegg poisoning her. He

told me that he expected me to set the right example. Right before he left, I asked him if I could wed to MyJohn sooner. He told me that I was too young, but I pointed out to him that he was 18 and Mama was 16. He wasn't going to change his mind. I find that unfair. You know what is even MORE unfair!? He told me I had to wait TWO years! TWO! Last time it was only ONE! He told me I was his dear little girl and it was sensible. It finally came to me! I asked him if it was because I'd end up on Mama's end when I wedded and had kids. All he told me in response was to give myself more time, and to not leave Mama alone with any of the kids. Then he kissed me and left. I sat there sobbing. I couldn't believe it! I KNOW WHAT HE IS THINKING! He think that when I get married, I will become JUST like her and go insane JUST like her! I don't get it! I think he is just really paranoid. He is SO

unfair. I think he is just stressed. I have to go tend to the kids right now. I will hopefully be back tomorrow or the day after! ~Patsy Henry Dear Diary, June 27 1771 I was SO worried that I would turn out like Mama. Pa scared me so bad! Is that seriously what would happen to me? I thought of all the married women I knew. Clementina Rind was the first one who came to mind. She was sane. She didn't go insane. How about Mrs. Hooper who is our neighbor that I hate? She June be mean, but she is sane. Aunt Annie? She lived in Indian Territory and don't have any reports of her mind going insane. I thought about Mrs. Parson. She was pretty sane too. I at first thought it ran in the family, but seriously, could what Pa said, be true? Would I become mentally

insane like Mama? I decided not to think about it too much any more. To keep my mind occupied, I went to see what Pegg was making for dinner. She was making cold Chicken fricassee, Yellow Squash, Turtle soup, and for desert, Pound Cake. Ew! I hate squash and I hate turtle soup with a passion! Pound cake is yummy though. My Mama used to make the best Pound Cake! I also went to cast an eye to Daphne while they were making soap. I also went with Silvy to help her air out her mattress tickings. It is a beautiful day out! The sun is shining bright. Not a cloud in the sky! I have to take Edward to Delia to be nursed right now, but I just can not bring myself to do it. I can't think of anyone but Mama nursing him. I am having Pegg do it instead. I will be back tomorrow. I must go for the night. By the time I get more free time to

myself, it will be too late. Good night for now. I will write right away in the morning! ~Patsy Henry
Dear Diary, June 28 1771 After I brought Edward to Pegg to bring to Delia yesterday, I heard Mama crying. Pegg informed me that it was because she can't see Edward. When I went in there she was screaming, ''EDWARD, EDWARD! WHERE IS EDWARD!? I WANT MY BABY! BRING ME MY BABY!''. I calmly explained to Mama that Edward was being nursed and that Delia had a baby boy. Mama said that she didn't want Edward nursed by an African-American, but I told her it was time she was treated like a lady(most planters' wives do not nurse their own babies). She screamed to me ''DON'T TELL ME WHAT MOST PLANTERS WIVES' DO! I WANT MY BABY!!!! BRING ME MY BABY!!''. I told Mama that she had to take some tea and some powder the

doctor left and then she'd feel good! She screamed to me ''YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO TO ME!? I AM NOT TAKING IT! JUST BRING ME MY BABY!!!''. She then jumped up, got out of bed, pushed me aside and ran out of the room. I begged her to come back but she didn't. Betsy was sitting playing dolls with Pegg's Letty. This is EXACTLY the kind of behavior Pa and I didn't want the kids to have to see. Thank goodness MyJohn and John were behind me. Mama had left to the quarters so at Delia's step MyJohn took Mama and they both went inside. I can not believe Mama acted like that! It was scary. I wonder what happened once they were inside. Did Mama get to nurse him? Did Delia see Mama acting up? I hope she didn't! I hate to admit it, but sometimes I am ashamed and embarrassed of my Mama. I know she can't help that she is insane, but her behavior makes me embarrassed. Thank goodness for Laudanum! She had gotten Edward and

now he is resting in my room. Earlier Mama told me about a supposed flood and a new governor we apparently have. She told me that Mr. Jefferson lost his mill, and that James and Rappahannock river overflowed. She also said many people lost 4,000 hogsheads of tobacco, crops, livestock, lives, and homes. I don't understand where she is getting this from! She told me that our new Governor was given a coach by King George. I know that our old Governor(Boutetourt) died last fall but we haven't a new governor yet. I don't know. I am just really worried about Mama. I talked to MyJohn about it. I told him how I was afraid what marriage would do to me. He told me that I am the most sensible and steady young woman he has ever known. That made me smile. Anne wanted to go see Mama just a little while ago, but I told her no because Mama is resting. Anne and I are going to see her soon. I must go now. I will be back in a couple days. Tomorrow is going to be a crazy busy

day and I don't have time to write tomorrow! Have a lovely night. ~Patsy Henry Dear Diary, June 28 1771 MyJohn set up Mama's room in the cellar. I think it looks really roomy. I am not so sure how well Mama will like it. I was reading the Gazette when I was supposed to be working on Anne's dress. The article I was reading said: Whereas Martha Beasley, my wife, has absented herself from me and goes about scandalizing my character and threatening that she or some of her associates will swear away my life; and as I am of the opinion that she has lost her senses: These are therefore to forward all persons from harboring or trusting her on my account, for I will not pay any debt she shall contract, from the date hereof. Sighed, Williamiam Beasley.

I thought it was a pretty interesting article. I kept reading those words over and over again. I was telling MyJohn that I noticed a lot of women are running from their husbands. If Mama had run off by now MyJohn didn't have to make that cellar for her. I was thinking that with the women running off, they are able to hopefully save their sanity. What I don't understand is, why don't men just face something they wash over and pretend that it never existed? MyJohn told me that locking Mama in the cellar was the only way to be able to be responsible for the younger kids AND keep Mama out of our way. I knew the cellar ceiling was low, but I don't see why it seemed SO much lower now? Pegg was putting up the curtains when I walked in. The curtains were homemade. The new heart-pine floor was covered with animal skins. There was the hearth that had always been there but a kettle made of brass now hung from a crane that was neatly polished. There was

also an oak table. It wasn't very light. John and MyJohn were standing there as I examined the room. I told them that it was beautiful, because honestly, it was the BEST our cellar has EVER looked! I told the guys that Mama needed more time, but they could see right past my lie and they understood that I was the one that actually needed more time. It wasn't Mama, it was me. I have been so used to having her around in her room, it would seem really weird to just all of a sudden, not have her there. Well, I better get going. I June not be writing for a couple day because I have to get Anne and William's clothes made to get ready to go to the Hoopers'. I hope to move Mama to the cellar by then as well. Ta ta for now! ~Patsy Henry

Dear Diary,

July

5 1771 Sorry I have not written for few days. Mama is not yet moved to the cellar. I haven't had time to worry because I have been busy readying William and Anne's clothes so they can to the Hoopers'. I am so thankful to MyJohn. He has not been pushing me to put her there. He has been so patient with me. I do not know what I would do without him! I told him that we should do it when the children are absent. The last couple of days, I have been putting the fear of God into Anne and William. I have been on their case about manners, but when they left today, I still felt fearful as to what was going to go on. I should have ridden with them, and I should not have allowed Anne to take her Lacquered box. I knew that the box alone would stir up trouble with the other girls there. It started raining JUST has they left. MyJohn is preparing to leave now. Just a little while ago, he wanted me to kiss him before he left, but I would not. I

refused. He thought something was wrong with me. He asked me why I wouldn't kiss him, but I gave him no answer. I knew in my heart I wanted to kiss him. Right before he left, I let him kiss me and I huddled in his arms as the rain beat down upon us. John and Barley came up and took MyJohn. He was gone. I would no longer have him around. I would only have John, Barley, Edward, and Betsy. Well I must be going. I need to get a few odds and ends done before this night ends. ~Patsy Henry

Dear Diary, July 6 1771 John was telling me that the Hoopers' say we are in for a flood with all the rain and lightening and thunder that was going on. I have been thinking about what

Mama said about the flood. Could she REALLY see into the future? Last night was crazy! About 10'o clock, I had woken up due to the thunder and the lightening. I looked out my window, and I saw this whitish figure. I had squinted my eyes and I knew who that was! It was MAMA! She was holding a small child. I quickly ran to Edward's cradle and there he was, sleeping as soundly as could be. There was only one other little one in the house and that was.....BETSY! I RAN out of my room to John's room and pounded on his door until he opened it up. He was not too thrilled to be awoken, but I told him that Mama was outside carrying Betsy, he immediately woke up, got dressed and grabbed a lantern. I was amazed that I was able to dress because I was trembling. John went to wake up Barley and Pegg. We all grabbed lanterns. Barley went to get the horses and a rope, Pegg was to wake the other servants and Mr. Melton. Mr. Melton was told to take another search group, and Pegg and I were to watch in the house in case Mama returned. This whole thing was MY fault.

I was the one who didn't want to Mama in the cellar. Thankfully nothing happened to Betsy, but had something happened, it would have been all my fault. It took them all of two hours to find and get Mama and Betsy. I guess from what Pegg told me, Mama was taking Betsy and running away because she thought I sent away Anne and William, and Mama didn't want me taking away Betsy. I am just thankful that Barley and John were able to get Betsy and Mama. John tied Mama to her bed for the rest of the night last night. It made me sad. I finally decided last night that today we are putting Mama in the cellar. We have not yet done it. We are planning it after breakfast. I must go for Breakfast. I'll write soon! ~Patsy Henry
Dear Diary, July 6 1771 This day has been a busy one! I hadn't time to write until just now. I stayed up the most of last night with Mama. She was resting

yet when we got up this morning. MyJohn was home. He heard from everyone he met in the road, about Mama's running away. Mama was apparently found by an old shed near the mill by the river. MyJohn told John that he had done Pa proud and he told me that I knew what we must do, and I knew what that meant. I was not ready to do it, but I knew it had to be done. I had decided that I was going to write up a notice for the Gazette. Here is what I wrote: Whereas: Sarah Henry hath tried to drown one of her children and ran off in the middle of the night in a storm with another, her family has decided with all convenient speed, to confine her to the cellar of her home. She has fettered the tender cords that tied their souls together, and has from some time past, tired to ruin them. There is to forewarn all persons from dealing with her, for we, her family, are parted in affection. About mid-morning we decided it was time to move Mama to our cellar. It was also the time that Delia needed Edward for his feeding. Mama took one look at Delia and said ''She's goin' steal my baby!'' I explained that Delia was just going to nurse Edward. Mama wouldn't have it. She said that Delia was here to take away

Edward. She was holding Edward so tight, I thought that he would surely suffocate. MyJohn came in at that time. He told Mama that Edward was a spitting image of Pa. Mama said ''Too bad Patrick(Pa) wasn't around to see him born''. Diary, Pa is still alive. Mama just think Pa died like I said before. We didn't try to convince her that Pa was still living. We just brought her down to the cellar. As we were walking down the stairs, I prayed that Mama wouldn't drop Edward walking down the stairs. She didn't....thank goodness! Mama was mesmerized by the decor and stuff in the cellar. As she was examining it, MyJohn was able to get Edward from Mama, and then got Edward and I upstairs so I could get Edward to Delia for nursing. As soon as I was gone, she finally got it. MyJohn must have told Mama that she was to stay down there because then I heard screaming of Mama and of MyJohn trying to calm her. Finally he was able to come upstairs. MyJohn looked a mess! I felt bad for him. His hair was messed up, his shirt torn, and scratches/bruises on his face! Thank goodness that the floors and door was thick so I didn't have to hear Mama unless I tried. I heard her calling my name and it

just tore at my heartstrings. Why not MyJohn or Johns name!? Why mine!? It was still raining this afternoon, but I decided that I needed time out of the house, so I took Jolly(my horse) for a ride. I took my favorite paths with her. The rain felt so good! After my ride, I spent the rest of my afternoon in our detached kitchen cooking. Betsy, at one point, tugged on my skirt saying ''Mama?'', like she was asking ''Where is Mama?''. I told her that Mama was sickly and needed to rest. It worked and it got Betsy off my case, but I am wondering, how long am I able to use that excuse with my younger brothers and sisters? Just a little while ago, Clementina Rind stopped by. She was coming by to write a story. It started raining harder and harder and harder and HARDER! Clementina stayed longer then expected. It was raining SO hard, we decided it was best that she not start back to Williamiamsburg. Clementina was writing a story about how our neighbors were faring with the rain. She told me that crops and orchards were ruined, and that the worst was on the Rivanna and James Rivers. She also told me that Cattle has been lost, houses destroyed and Thomas Jefferson

even lost his mill! It finally came to me! Diary, what is Mama really DID have the sight like Pegg said?! I even told Clementina that, but she said it could just be a coincidence. As I write this entire, I am thinking more and more about this...it HAS to be true! Mama has the sight. There is no shilly-shallying around it! Not with the storms and floods brewing outside. Well it is time for dinner. I am going to bring some food down to Mama. I will write as soon as I can! Which will either be late tonight or early tomorrow morning! Ta ta! Have a wonderful evening! ~Patsy Henry

Dear Diary July 7, 1771 So, last night when I went to bring Mama her food, she asked me how she was supposed to bake a cake without frog legs. I had NO idea what she was talking about! After Mama started eating the food I brought her, tears came out of my eyes just watching her. I told her about the floods. I

told her I knew that she had the sight and that she could tell me what was gong to happen. Mama was smiling. There was ONE thing I NEEDED to know! I asked her which one of us girls was going to inherit her madness. She did not tell me. She just leaned close to me telling me that the frog legs would make a great spice if cute up right for a cake. I had NO idea where she came up with that. I just left her there with the food, and went back upstairs. When Anne, William, and Silvy returned from their week at the Hoopers', the FIRST thing I saw, was that Anne cut her hair. SHORT! Like boy short! I couldnt believe it! She told me that the other girls wanted to see what she looked like with short hair, so she cut it. UNBELIEVEABLE! I found out a lot more too Diary, but I will not get into detail. Lets just say, that Betsy started wetting the bed again too. I was clueless as to why they were going back to the way they were. Pegg told me that it was probably because, they hoped that if they acted the way they did BEFORE Mama got seriously ill, she would go back to normal. This morning during our breakfast time, Sarah Hallam(who ran off from the Hoopers') and Jonathan Snead came to our

doorstep. Apparently they were in our barn last night. They came to stay with us. Jonathan was hoping that Pa would find a minister to marry him and Sarah Tonight Pa just came home a little while ago. He agreed to have Uncle Henry(who goes by Reverend Henry) wed them. The wedding was going to be here at our house. We were busy preparing for the wedding! Pa went after dinner to see Mama. He played Handel and Vivaldi on his violin. It was Mama's favorites. Well Diary, it has been a long day. I better be getting to bed. I won't be writing for a few days. Sorry! See you later! ~Patsy Henry Dear Diary, July 20, 1771 Things have been SUPER busy! Sorry I have not written in over 10 days! There was an announcement in the Virginia Gazette about Sarah and Johnathan wedding! Here is what the announcement said: Married: Two evenings past, at Scotchtown, the home of Mr. Patrick Henry, Jr., Miss Sarah Hallam, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Hooper of Hooper Run Plantation in Hanover

County, and Mr. Jonathan Snead of this town. The mutual affection and similarity of disposition in this agreeable pair afford the strongest assurance of their enjoying the highest felicity in the Capital state. I am really happy for Sarah and Jonathan! I am proud of the announcement because I was the one who helped Pa write it! The reason Pa signed it Patrick Henry Jr. was out of respect for his uncle Reverend Patrick Henry. There was thumping downstairs during the ceremony, but we didn't mind it. Ever since the flood, we have been collecting clothes for the victims. Pa sent a note around that was from the House of Burgesses. John was to get the word to our neighbors. Silvy came to tell me that, apparently Anne has been sneaking down to see Mama. I guess that we have been too busy with the flood to notice. I guess, from what Silvy has been telling me, that Mama has been talking to her and what she says makes sense. I talked to Anne about it. Anne said that she knew about the wedding, and she knew that Pa was alive. I told her she was not to go down to see Mama anymore. I explained that it was because there was the risk of her turning against Anne, just like she had

done to Pa and MyJohn. Anne told me that Mama was going to tell her who would inherit the bad blood next time she went down there. Anne kept to her word, and didn't sneak down to see Mama. Was it really possible that Mama could communicate this to Anne? Was Anne making this all up, so I'd let her go down to see Mama again? It took me 2 days to figure this all out. I finally let her go talk to Mama. Only when MyJohn was home, and only if she allowed John and I to stand at the top, to keep watch. The door had to be closed though because if Mama felt someone listening, she wouldn't tell Anne. I wanted to know desperatly so I agreed. After the visist, I found out it wasn't me that was going to inherit the blood(so now I could wed. to MyJohn.). It was Anne herself. I felt SO bad. I decided I was going to help Anne through this. I told her we were going to work through it together, and that we can make our own fate. It doen't have to be the way it is now. Well that is what is going on right now. If I find time, I will write some more, but right now, things are so hectic, I will be lucky if I can write once a month! So, the entries will be a little more widespread. I hope that is okay! Thank you

for listening Diary! Yours Truly, ~Miss. Patsy Henry

Disclaimer: All entries that have Italicized quotes: they were taken straight from the book: ''Or Give Me Death'' By Ann Rinaldi. They are not my own words. No copyright intended.