The Green Bough

n their square, white house. Though painted by a local artist when Mary was quite a

an imposition of will. Their money had been left without reservation to be divided equally amongst the four girls. If any imposition there might be, it was of their p

efore her. No more could she have ceased from doing this than could any one

ore than any comment of her sisters' that Fanny feared

ian spirit. Love they must have given their children or their influence would never h

ave been well satisfied that if not one of them had found the sanctity of married life then at l

lmost afraid to look. In his life he had been just. He would have been just in his condemnation of her then. Self-control had been the measure of all his actions. Of self-control in that moment on the cliffs she knew she had had none. She had le

sensations as that when

girls she had said the same with parental regard; and to each one severally

e penalties of life. I love your father. No woman could have loved him more. He is a fine and a good man. But there are things a woman must submit to in her married life--that is the cross she must bear--which no words of mine can describe to you. Nevertheless, don't think I complain. Don't think I do not realize there i

all of them. Of this phrase, if vanity she had at all, she was greatly proud. It see

turn had accepted it in silence.

e doesn't get the reward of having children like the woman does.

daughter's hands in hers and, in a tone of voi

ed as unholy pleasure to him. That pleasure a woman must submit to. That pleasure it is her bitter duty to give. That's why I say I d

was not yet satisfied with the food for thought and conduct she had given it. She became conscious of a dread

ves when all the time she is suffering shame and agony he

their closure she had prayed. So confused had been her mind in face

do you

e must be getting pleasure herself. If I give you a present at Christmas and you like it and it gives you pleasure, I'm not sure it doesn't giv

Mrs. Throgmorton's heart. Unable to restrain herself, she h

he pleasure of blessedness, the satisfaction of du

at last had been shown in answer to her prayer. Not f

could I? I'm not married. But if I were a man it wouldn't give me any pleasure to think that the woman I loved was just satisfied because she'd done her duty. I should want to share my

er voice; but the mere words themselves were sufficient to strike terror int

it be His will you should, that you will never forget your modesty or your s

voice of Mrs. Throgmorton whispered in Mary's ears--"I pray God you will never forget your modesty or your self-respect." Still, even when she was twenty-nine, Mary's eyes would lift to her father's face gazing down from the wall upon her, wonderi

the Royal George and the horses' hoofs would sing as they beat upon the r

er impetus had come to her to live than the mos