Lyddie bravely faces danger when a bear comes into her house.
Lyddie demonstrates bravery and quick thinking quite often. An example of this is when her brother leaves a door open (or doesn’t shut it well enough), and a huge bear wanders into their house. Lyddie is perfectly calm, and immediately begins giving orders to everyone—including her mother.
"Don't nobody yell," she said softly. "Just back up slow and quiet to the ladder and climb up to the loft. Charlie, you get Agnes, and Mama, you take Rachel." She heard her mother whimper. "Shhh," she continued, her voice absolutely even. "It's all right long as nobody gets upset. (Ch. 1)
Everyone climbs into the loft but Lyddie. She says she will go last and take the ladder up. She does not get a chance. Lyddie looks straight into the bear's eyes, glaring and daring him to get her. She almost seems to have a charm on him. However, he hears a noise and attacks. Again, Lyddie is quick thinking. She remains below as the bear thrashes around until he sticks his head in boiling hot oatmeal and runs away.
Lyddie shows daily bravery just by keeping things going in her mother’s negligence. He has gone off prospecting, and she never expects him to return. As a result, she has gone “queer” according to Lyddie. She decides to leave her farm and go to Uncle Judah’s, but Lyddie knows they can’t all just get up and leave.
"I can't stop you to go," Lyddie said, "but I can't go with you. I can't. leave the farm." When her mother opened her mouth to argue, Lyddie went on. "The sow won't fetch enough to provide coach fare for the lot of us." (Ch. 1)
Lyddie is very brave to stay behind while her mother and the younger children leave. It is a different kind of bravery than the physical bravery of facing down the bear, but she does it for the same reason. She is trying to protect her family. She knows that the farm is all they have left, and their financial mainstay. Her mother is not mentally well enough to be of use.
Throughout her journey, Lyddie will remain resolute and strong. Even when her mother basically sells her into servitude, Lyddie never breaks. She eventually finds her own way, becoming a factory girl, where she will also always remain brave and strong in the face of difficulties.
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