Someofthegreatestsuccessstoriesofhistoryhavefollowedawordofencouragementoranactofconfidencebyalovedoneoratrustingfriend.Haditnotbeenforaconfidentwife,Sophia,wemightnothavelistedamongthegreatnamesofliteraturethenameofNathanielHawthorne.WhenNathaniel,aheartbrokenman,wenthometotellhiswifethathewasafailureandhadbeenfiredfromhisjobinacustomhouse,shesurprisedhimwithanexclamationofjoy.
"Now,"shesaidtriumphantly,"youcanwriteyourbook!"
"Yes,"repliedtheman,withsaggingconfidence,"andwhatshallweliveonwhileIamwritingit?"
Tohisamazement,sheopenedadrawerandpulledoutasubstantialamountofmoney.
"Whereonearthdidyougetthat?"heexclaimed.
"Ihavealwaysknowyouwereamanofgenius,"shetoldhim."Iknewthatsomedayyouwouldwriteamasterpiece.Soeveryweek,outofthemoneyyougavemeforhousekeeping,Isavedalittlebit.Sohereisenoughtolastusforonewholeyear."
FromhertrustandconfidencecameoneofthegreatestnovelsofAmericanliterature,TheScarletLetter.