She was apt, I thought, to make convictions of her
presumptions. If she presumed that my love for Sylvia was an utterly
hopeless affection, to be given up and forgotten, I did not like it. It
might be that it was hopeless, but I did not care to have any one else
settle the matter for me in that way,--not even Mother Anastasia.
"Of course," I remarked, "I am glad that you have concluded to withdraw
from a vocation which I am sure is not suited to you, and yet I feel a
little disappointed to hear that you will not continue at the head of
the House of Martha, for I came to Washington on purpose to make you a
proposition in regard to that institution."
"Came to Washington on purpose to see me, and to make a proposition!
What can it possibly be?"
I now laid before her, with considerable attention to detail, my plan
for working in cooeperation with the House of Martha. I showed her the
advantages of the scheme as they had suggested themselves to me, and as
an example of what could be done I mentioned Sylvia's fancy for
typewriting, and demonstrated how easily I could undertake the outside
management of this very lucrative and pleasant occupation. I warmed up
as I talked, and spoke quite strongly about what I--and perhaps in time
other men--might do for the benefit of the sisterhood, if my proposition
were accepted.
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