Read the excerpt from "Clara Barton’s Childhood.”

From that time on, through long months, she was the member of the family whose entire thought and care was centered around her brother. David was very sick for such a long time that it seemed as if he could never rally.

Hour after hour, and day after day, she sat by his bedside, his thin hand clasped in her strong one.

"Will I ever get better?” he would ask, sometimes several times a day.

She practically shut herself up in that sick-room for two whole years.

In this excerpt, the author characterizes Clara’s actions to reveal that Clara

is afraid that David will not survive.
is unwavering in her goal to help heal David.
dislikes acting as David’s nurse.
wants credit for taking over David’s care.

1 answer

In this excerpt, the author characterizes Clara’s actions to reveal that Clara is unwavering in her goal to help heal David. Her dedication to sitting by his bedside for long periods and her focus on caring for him demonstrate her commitment to his recovery.