That,
then, would be altogether the opposite of heaven, and very much
the opposite of this world. Such a hell would go on, I suppose,
till every one had learned to hate every one else in the same
world with her."
This was beyond Hesper, and she paid no attention to it.
"You can never, in your sober senses, Mary," she said, "mean that
God requires of me to do things for Mr. Redmain that the servants
can do a great deal better! That would be ridiculous--not to
mention that I oughtn't and couldn't and wouldn't do them for any
man!"
"Many a woman," said Mary, with a solemnity in her tone which she
did not intend to appear there, "has done many more trying things
for persons of whom she knew nothing."
"I dare say! But such women go in for being saints, and that is
not my line. I was not made for that."
"You were made for that, and far more," said Mary.
"There are such women, I know," persisted Hesper; "but I do not
know how they find it possible."
"I can tell you how they find it possible. They love every human
being just because he is human. Your husband might be a demon
from the way you behave to him."
"I suppose _you_ find it agreeable to wait upon him: he is
civil to you, I dare say!"
"Not very," replied Mary, with a smile; "but the person who can
not bear with a sick man or a baby is not fit to be a woman."
"You may go to your own room," said Hesper.
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