"At least it's going SOMEWHERE!" I replied, tersely, as the train stopped, and I climbed the steps.
Looking back when the train had started again, I saw "Aunt Susan" standing in the same spot on the platform and staring after it with incredulous eyes; but I was right, for I discovered that by going up into another state I could get a train which would take me to my destination in time for the lecture that night. It was a fine illustration of my pet theory that if one intends to get somewhere it is better to start, even in the wrong direction, than to stand still.
Again and again in our work we had occasion to marvel over men's lack of understanding of the views of women, even of those nearest and dearest to them; and we had an especially striking illustration of this at one of our hearings in Washington. A certain distinguished gentleman (we will call him Mr. H——) was chairman of the Judiciary, and after we had said what we wished to say, he remarked:
"Your arguments are logical. Your cause is just. The trouble is that women don't want suffrage. My wife doesn't want it. I don't know a single woman who does want it."
As it happened for this unfortunate gentleman, his wife was present at the hearing and sitting beside Miss Anthony. She listened to his words with surprise, and then whispered to "Aunt Susan":
"How CAN he say that? I want suffrage, and I've told him so a hundred times in the last twenty years."
"Tell him again NOW," urged Miss Anthony. "Here's your chance to impress it on his memory."
"Here!" gasped the wife. "Oh, I wouldn't dare."
"Then may I tell him?"
"Why—yes! He can think what he pleases, but he has no right to publicly misrepresent me."