him wept.

And she thinks enviously of her neighbor across the way, who had no son
to give, the childless woman for whom in the old days she felt so
sorry, but whom now she envies. She is the happiest woman of all--so
thinks the knitting woman, as she sits alone in her quiet house; for
thoughts can grow very bitter when the house is still and the boyish
voice is heard no more shouting, "Mother" in the hall.

There, little girl, don't cry!
They have broken your heart, I know.

CHAPTER IV

SHOULD WOMEN THINK?

A woman, a spaniel, a walnut tree,
The more you beat 'em, the better they be.
--_From "Proverbs of All Nations._"

A woman is not a person in matters of rights and privileges, but she is
a person in matters of pains and penalties.--_From the Common Law of
England_.

No woman, idiot, lunatic, or criminal shall vote.--_From the Election
Act of the Dominion of Canada_.

Mary and Martha were sisters, and one day they had a quarrel, which
goes to show that sisters in Bible times were much the same as now.
Mary and Martha had a different attitude toward life. Martha was a
housekeeper--she reveled in housecleaning--she had a perfect mania for
sweeping and dusting. Mary was a thinker. She looked beyond the work,
and saw something better and more important, something more abiding and
satisfying.

When Jesus came to their home to visit, Mary sat at his feet and
listened. She fed her soul, and in her sheer joy she forgot that there
were dirty dishes in all the world; she forgot that ever people grew
hungry, or floors became dusty; she forgot everything only the joy of
his presence. Martha never forgot. All days were alike to Martha,
only of course Monday was washday. The visit of the Master to Martha
meant another place at the table, and another plate to be washed.
Truly feminine was Martha, much commended in certain circles today.
She looked well to the needs of her family, physical needs, that is,
for she recognized no other. Martha not only liked to work herself,
but she liked to see other people work; so when Mary went and sat at
the Master's feet, while the dishes were yet unwashed, Martha
complained about it.

"Lord, make Mary come and help me!" she said. The story says Martha
was wearied with much serving. Martha had cooked and served an
elaborate meal, and elaborate meals usually do make people cross either
before or after. Christ gently reproved her. "Mary hath ch