I don't know how it
may strike you, but argument seems to me useless when a person has such
a constitution."
"Can you read between the lines of that letter?" Claudia asked me.
"She seems to be dreadfully _don't care_," I said.
"Exactly. She is more reckless, and therefore more miserable, than she
used to be. I wouldn't live with him."
"Ideala won't shirk her duty because it is hard and unpalatable," I
answered.
"I believe she likes it!" Claudia exclaimed; and then, smiling at her
own inconsistency, she explained, "I mean if she really is miserable
she ought to speak and let us do something."
"It is contrary to her principles. She would think it wrong to disturb
_your_ mind for a moment because her own life is a burden to her.
That is why she always tries to seem happy, and is cheerful on the
surface. If she made lament, we should suffer in sympathy, and all the
more because there is so very little we could do to help her. Silence
is best. If she ever gives way, she will not be able to bear it again."
"But why _should_ she bear it?" Claudia demanded.
"It is her duty.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133