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and mothers clung to； and have drifted so far away from their gentle
customs and simple； home…loving habits； that one wonders what
impression our society would make on a woman of a century ago； could
she by some spell be dropped into the swing of modern days。 The good
soul would be apt to find it rather a far cry from the quiet pleasures of her
youth； to 〃a ladies' amateur bicycle race〃 that formed the attraction
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recently at a summer resort。
That we should have come to think it natural and proper for a young
wife and mother to pass her mornings at golf； lunching at the club… house
to 〃save time；〃 returning home only for a hurried change of toilet to start
again on a bicycle or for a round of calls； an occupation that will leave her
just the half…hour necessary to slip into a dinner gown； and then for her to
pass the evening in dancing or at the card…table； shows； when one takes the
time to think of it； how unconsciously we have changed； and （with all
apologies to the gay hostesses and graceful athletes of to…day） not for the
better。
It is just in the subtle quality of charm that the women of the last ten
years have fallen away from their elder sisters。 They have been carried
along by a love of sport； and by the set of fashion's tide； not stopping to
ask themselves whither they are floating。 They do not realize all the
importance of their acts nor the true meaning of their metamorphosis。
The dear creatures should be content； for they have at last escaped
from the bondage of ages； have broken their chains； and vaulted over their
prison walls。 〃Lords and masters〃 have gradually become very humble
and obedient servants； and the 〃love； honour； and obey〃 of the marriage
service might now more logically be spoken by the man； on the lips of the
women of to…day it is but a graceful 〃FACON DE PARLER；〃 and holds
only those who choose to be bound。
It is not my intention to rail against the short…comings of the day。 That
ungrateful task I leave to sterner moralists； and hopeful souls who naively
imagine they can stem the current of an epoch with the barrier of their
eloquence； or sweep back an ocean of innovations by their logic。 I should
like； however； to ask my sisters one question： Are they quite sure that
women gain by these changes？ Do they imagine； these 〃sporty〃 young
females in short… cut skirts and mannish shirts and ties； that it is seductive
to a lover； or a husband to see his idol in a violent perspiration； her
draggled hair blowing across a sunburned face； panting up a long hill in
front of him on a bicycle； frantic at having lost her race？ Shade of gentle
William！ who said
A woman moved； is like a fountain troubled； … Muddy； ill…seeming；
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thick； bereft of beauty。 And while it is so； none so dry or thirsty Will deign
to sip or touch one drop of it。
Is the modern girl under the impression that men will be contented
with poor imitations of themselves； to share their homes and be the
mothers of their children？ She is throwing away the substance for the
shadow！
The moment women step out from the sanctuary of their homes； the
glamour that girlhood or maternity has thrown around them cast aside； that
moment will they cease to rule mankind。 Women may agitate until they
have obtained political recognition； but will awake from their foolish
dream of power； realizing too late what they have sacrificed to obtain it；
that the price has been very heavy； and the fruit of their struggles bitter on
their lips。
There are few men； I imagine； of my generation to whom the words
〃home〃 and 〃mother〃 have not a penetrating charm； who do not look back
with softened heart and tender thoughts to fireside scenes of evening
readings and twilight talks at a mother's knee； realizing that the best in
their natures owes its growth to these influences。
I sometimes look about me and wonder what the word 〃mother〃 will
mean later； to modern little boys。 It will evoke； I fear； a confused
remembrance of some centaur…like being； half woman； half wheel； or as it
did to neglected little Rawdon Crawley； the vision of a radiant creature in
gauze and jewels； driving away to endless FETES … FETES followed by
long mornings； when he was told not to make any noise； or play too loudly；
〃as poor mamma is resting。〃 What other memories can the 〃successful〃
woman of to…day hope to leave in the minds of her children？ If the child
remembers his mother in this way； will not the man who has known and
perhaps loved her； feel the same sensation of empty futility when her name
is mentioned？
The woman who proposes a game of cards to a youth who comes to
pass an hour in her society； can hardly expect him to carry away a
particularly tender memory of her as he leaves the house。 The girl who has
rowed； ridden； or raced at a man's side for days； with the object of getting
the better of him at some sport or pastime； cannot reasonably hope to be
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connected in his thoughts with ideas more tender or more elevated than
〃odds〃 or 〃handicaps；〃 with an undercurrent of pique if his unsexed
companion has 〃downed〃 him successfully。
What man； unless he be singularly dissolute or unfortunate； but turns
his steps； when he can； towards some dainty parlor where he is sure of
finding a smiling； soft…voiced woman； whose welcome he knows will
soothe his irritated nerves and restore the even balance of his temper；
whose charm will work its subtle way into his troubled spirit？ The wife he
loves； or the friend he admires and respects； will do more for him in one
such quiet hour when two minds commune； coming closer to the real man；
and moving him to braver efforts； and nobler aims； than all the beauties
and 〃sporty〃 acquaintances of a lifetime。 No matter what a man's
education or taste is； none are insensible to such an atmosphere or to the
grace and witchery a woman can lend to t