"Why? what do you mean? I think it is the only way in the world to bring up children the only way fit for rational beings to be guided."
Fleda smiled, though the faintest indication that lips could give, and shook her head ever so little.
"Why do you do that? tell me."
"Because, in my limited experience," said Fleda, as she passed her fingers through the boy's dark locks of hair "in every household where 'moral suasion' has been the law, the children have been the administrators of it. Where is your husband?"
"I have lost him years ago" said Marion, with a quick expressive glance towards the child. "I never lost what I at first thought I had, for I never had it. Do you understand?"
Fleda's eyes gave a sufficient answer.
"I am a widow these five years in all but what the law would require," Marion went on. "I have been alone since then except my child. He was two years old then; and since then I have lived such a life, Fleda!"
"Why didn't you come home?"
"Couldn't the most absolute reason in the world. Think of it! Come home! It was as much as I could do to stay there!"
Those sympathizing eyes were enough to make her go on.