She took my
arm affectionately, and we walked up and down for a time in silence.
She was smiling and happy; so happy, indeed, that I found it hard to
say anything to disturb her. For a moment I felt almost as she did
about the step she proposed to take. There had been little joy in her
life, and she had borne her cross long and bravely; what wonder that
she should rebel at last, and claim her reward?
"Do you remember how you used to talk about the women of the nineteenth
century, Ideala," I said at last, "and describe the power for good
which they never use, and rail at them as artificial, milliner-made,
man-hunting, self-indulgent _animals?_"
"I know," she answered; "and now you would say I am worse than any of
them? I used to have big ideas about woman and her mission; but I
always looked at the question broadly, as it affects the whole world;
now my vision is narrowed, and I see it only with regard to one
individual. But I am sure that is the right way to look at it. I think
every woman will have to answer for one man's soul, and it seems to me
that the noblest thing a woman can do is to devote her life to that
soul first of all--to raise it if it be low, to help it to peace if
peace be lacking, and to gather all the sunshine there is in the world
for it; and, after that, if her opportunities and powers allow her to
help others also, she should do what she can for them.
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