In those days
it was respectable to be genteelly poor, and starve rather than work and
live on the fat of the land. Nothing has ever done so much to increase
the self-respect of woman, and add to her feeling of independence, as
the knowledge of the fact that she can support herself." Alice bowed her
head and covered her eyes with her hand. "There's nothing personal in
what I say," said Uncle Ike. "I am only talking on general principles."
Quincy yearned to say something against Uncle Ike's argument, but how
could he advance anything against woman's work when the one who sat
before him was a workingwoman and was weeping because she could not
work? There was one thing he could do, he could change the subject to
one where there was an opportunity for debate. So he said, "Well, Mr.
Pettengill, I presume if you are such an ardent advocate of woman's
right or even duty to work, that you are also a supporter of her right
to vote."
"That does not follow," replied Uncle Ike. "To be self-reliant,
independent, and self-supporting is a pleasure and a duty, and adds to
one's self-respect.
Pages:
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254