"All three children carried themselves rather better than the common run of "green" pupils that were brought to Miss Nixon. But the figure that challenged attention to the group was the tall, straight father, with his earnest face and fine forehead, nervous hands eloquent in gesture, and a voice full of feeling. This foreigner, who brought his children to school as if it were an act of consecration, who regarded the teacher of the primer class with reverence, who spoke of visions, like a man inspired, in a common schoolroom, was not like other aliens, who brought their children in dull obedience to the law; was not like the native fathers, who brought their unmanageable boys, glad to be relieved of their care. I think Miss Nixon guessed what my father's best English could not convey. I think she divined that by the simple act of delivering our school certificates to her he took possession of America."
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Memoirists from the United StatesWomen authors from the United StatesWomen activists from the United StatesImmigration rights activistsWomen from Belarus
Original Language: English
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Making an American.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mary_Antin
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Mary Antin
Mary Antin (June 13, 1881 – May 15, 1949) was an American author and immigration rights activist.
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