CHAPTER XXI
THE WAY OF A WOMAN
"Daddy, what do girls do in the great outside world when they grow up?"
Nance and Martin had just finished their breakfast. It was early, and the morning sun, streaming in through the window, fell athwart the table. Pete, the invalid, was still asleep, for the movements in the room had not disturbed him in the least. Martin looked curiously at Nance as she asked the question. He pushed back the bench upon which he was sitting, and began to fill his pipe. Nance sat with her elbows upon the table, her hands supporting her chin, watching him thoughtfully.
"Young women generally get married," Martin at length replied. "That is about all they think of."
"But suppose they don't get married, daddy?"
"Then they stay at home and help their mothers."
"But suppose they have no mothers, what then?"
"Oh, they get out and shift for themselves."
"And what do they do to make a living?"