To me it is the direst cruelty of
Providence that we should be left to become the prey of our own
emotions, and at the mercy of any man of whatever quality who can
sufficiently stir them. Maybe you do not agree to that. But just
think of the awful position that every wretched, physically feeble
woman stands in in the life about her. I tell you no girl on her own
resources has much better than a dog's chance of getting through life
without disaster. Our emotions are the most absurdly foolish type it
is possible to think of. I guess we can do things with our normal
reason which would shame a whole asylum of crazy folk who can't be let
run around free. Oh, I'd like to know her better, to tell her, to warn
her. I don't guess I've ever done good in the world, but I'd like to.
If I could save one of my sex from some of the pitfalls lying around,
maybe I'd feel I'd been some use."
"Why not know her better? Say, Nan's no end of a good sort. She'd be
real glad."
Jeff's invitation sounded lame, even to himself. But he was struggling
under an emotion that made words difficult.
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