Books, books, books had found the secret of a garret-room piled high with cases in my father's name; Piled high, packed large, --where, creeping in and out among the giant fossils of my past, like some small nimble mouse between the ribs of a mastodon, I nibbled here and there at this or that box, pulling through the gap, in heats of terror, haste, victorious joy, the first book first. And how I felt it beat under my pillow, in the morning's dark. An hour before the sun would let me read! My books!

Summary

This quote portrays the powerful allure and love for books. The narrator vividly describes a space filled with books, belonging to their father, hidden away in a garret-room. The narrator explores this treasure trove, like an agile mouse among fossils, eagerly delving into each box to find the first book. The quote captures the excitement, fear, and anticipation of immersing oneself in a beloved book, even feeling its beating presence under their pillow, eagerly waiting to read it each morning before the world awakens.

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