Long sad story. It was my mom's. Made a painful impression on me in childhood as when visiting my aunt, she pointed to the book in a bookcase and said, "I'm glad I got that one. Your BRATS would never appreciate it." This was within full earshot of me and my sisters, none of whom were doing anything remotely bratty at the time. I learned the book was rare and obscure but after going online found one for $150.00. Meanwhile Mom's sister had passed away, the sister's daughter helped Mom look for the book and they couldn't find it, plus their copy was all beat up so Mom was happy to pay, even such a price, for a mint condition copy. The book would have been around 100 years old at the time. My niece didn't rip up the whole book, but stuck in a wadded damp tissue. I should have removed the book when I found that and reported the offense, but after having my ribs stomped on for not being a nice aunt, I merely removed the tissue and replaced the book where she'd left it. It didn't take serious harm from that, but after I left she made pencil marks, eraser scratches, and tears, some of which can't be repaired and might cost as much again as the book did to attempt to repair. She was nine years old and knew better. We would have been skinned at six for damaging a book! Had I caught her at it I would have inflicted grievous bodily injury and never allowed her in the house again, but I didn't discover the severe offense until after they left. I did find two more copies of the book much less expensive but not as good, and my sisters were mean about it. No one apologized or made financial restitution, and that might have been the time when I got accused of "considering things more important than people." Unless some miraculous change takes place, I doubt I can ever read this book. It's just like ripping the scab off a deep wound. My sister also screamed and swore at me for objecting to my niece at around the same age, banging on the piano while I was asleep, then accused me of swearing. Finally I wrote them a long message and said the point was never who did what to me, when. The point is that anyone, relative or stranger, is allowed to inflict grievous insult and injury on me and no one bats an eyelash. If I get one hair out of place, regardless of circumstances, I am to be burned at the stake! I refuse to take it anymore. Don't know whether anyone paid any attention, though.