If you are a true
woman, worthy of your race and of your breeding, you will never
forget your superiority--or the duties it imposes on you--what
you owe to your husband and to your children. You are a married
woman now. Therefore you are free. Show that you deserve freedom
and know how to use it."
Margaret listened to the old woman with a new respect for her--and
for herself. "I'll try, Grandmother," she said soberly. "But--it
won't be easy." A reflective silence, and she repeated, "No, not
easy."
"Easier than to resist and repine and rage and hunt another man
who, on close acquaintance, would prove even less satisfactory,"
replied her grandmother. "Easy--if you honestly try." She looked
down at the girl with the sympathy that goes out to inexperience
from those who have lived long and thoughtfully and have seen many
a vast and fearful bogy loom and, on nearer view, fade into a mist
of fancy. "Above all, child, don't waste your strength on
imaginary griefs and woes--you'll have none left for the real
trials."
Margaret had listened attentively; she would remember what the old
lady had said--indeed, it would have been hard to forget words so
direct and so impressively uttered.
Pages:
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279