In Mary Lawson's book "Crow Lake," there's a poignant story about the author's great-grandmother, Morrison, who ingeniously adapted her spinning wheel with a book-rest. This allowed her to engage in reading while working, a testament to her love for literature. One fateful Saturday evening, she became so engrossed in her book that she lost track of time, discovering it was already half-past midnight.

This moment marked a significant moral dilemma for her, as she realized she had spun for thirty minutes on the Sabbath, which was considered a serious transgression in that era. The narrative highlights the clash between personal passions and societal expectations, emphasizing the weight of guilt associated with such an act in her time.