Sometimes Gertrude wondered why the marriage ceremony so often untied lovers' knots, and why after marriage love and esteem did not increase. She never forgot the advice of an old lady, too poor to make her a wedding present, who told her that if she wished to be happy in marriage she must always keep two bears in her home, bear and forbear.
George and his wife were human, and not unlike other people. Now and then George would say to his intimate friends. "The Ingrams like most New Englanders did not come over in the Mayflower as the passenger list was full, neither do the Ingrams belong to that very large number of families who feel the necessity of saying, 'We have never had an unkind word in our home.' Gertrude and I both have strong wills, and we often differ in opinions, but as often we agree to disagree. In this manner we avoid sunken rocks that might wreck our ship."
One day, Irene, George's youngest sister, asked Gertrude for a painting of herself and of George. "Too expensive, Irene," replied Gertrude, "couldn't think of it for a moment."
"No, Gertrude, I want only a tiny picture of your thumb and George's."
"What in the world do you want of our thumbs?"
"Because, Gertrude, George tells me privately that he has you completely under his thumb, and you always act as if you thought you had George under your thumb."
Gertrude and George were strong and helpful, both educated, unselfish and ambitious; why should they not succeed? Gertrude had learned that good and great people are also sometimes selfish. When a little girl, she was present with her father who was invited to take dinner with a distinguished divine. The good doctor of divinity did the carving, and adroitly managed to keep for his own plate the tenderest piece of steak. Colonel Harris observed the fact, and enjoying a joke, casually observed, "Doctor, how well you carve!" The good man saw his breach of hospitality and blushed, remarking, "Colonel, you must forgive me for I believe I was born with a delicate stomach."
Business cares were locked up in the office desk down town, and Gertrude forgot home annoyances as soon as George was seen coming up the lawn, and she and the twins ran to meet "papa." He always brought home the latest literary and scientific magazines and journals, while the reviews of America and London kept the family up-to-date on the latest books and leading topics. George's vacations were sometimes taken with his own employees, all of whom in the heated months, had two weeks off, some camping along the shores of the lake, others taking boat excursions to neighboring groves, or enjoying the outdoor band concerts which were furnished every other evening on the public park.
What concerned his employees, concerned him. When any of his workmen were injured or sick, the company at once sent a surgeon or physician. Rightly, he thought it more important that an employee should be kept in good working order than even his best piece of machinery.
George Ingram was once heard to say that eleven letters covered a large part of his religion, and that he wished he could write across the blue dome in letters of gold the word "Helpfulness." To assist an unfortunate individual permanently to help himself, is preaching a gospel that betters the world.