"Most of them are larger," returned Sister Maddon, laughing.
"How do you ever manage?" asked Venna in wondering admiration.
"That's what all the Eastern women say! My dear Mrs. Hadly, women in the East don't know how to really enjoy life. They think they do. They imagine that 'dolling up,' going to balls and theatres and whist parties, give them a good time. But they're not as happy as we are. They pity us and—we pity them!"
"No, I don't believe they know true happiness. One or two children is the limit as a rule—except among the lower classes."
"The lower classes then are the best off."
"But suppose, Sister Maddon, a husband turns out badly. Then a woman must have a struggle to get along."
"That happens sometimes," returned Mrs. Maddon. "But as a rule our men are as near perfect husbands as the Lord ever intended. You see our boys are brought up to be chaste and pure. There is an equal standard of morality for our boys and girls, so they don't sow their wild oats before they're married and then offer their wife a remnant of manhood. We Mormon women can't understand how some Eastern women marry these worn-out sports. I wouldn't want one for the father of my children. My darlings are my whole ambition in life. I believe I was created for that ambition and its attainment."
"Don't any of your girls ever long for a career?" asked Venna.
"Oh, yes, many of them. And Mormon parents always try to develop every talent a girl has. But even our ambitious women finally marry and have large families. They have to be in the world a few years to realize that the highest womanly ambition is to be a mother."
There was a general shouting among the children downstairs.