Perhaps
this would be the best way in the end, for papa looked wildly, and
spoke of a tenement-house last night. Tenement! Great heavens! I'd
sooner die."
CHAPTER XX
"VEILED WOOING"
"Graydon, when do you think I can have my first ride?" Madge asked at
dinner, with sparkling eyes.
"At about five this afternoon. I have found a saddle that I can borrow
in case yours does not come till the late train."
"Oh, I'm so glad that I've lost my appetite! You can't know how much
a horse means to me. It was after I began to ride that I grew strong
enough to hope."
"Why, Madge, were you so discouraged as that?" he asked, feelingly.
"I had reason to be discouraged," she replied, in a low tone. Then she
threw back her head, proudly. "You men little know," she continued,
half defiantly. "You think weakness one of our prerogatives, and like
us almost the better for it. We are meekly to accept our fate, and
from soft couches lift our languid eyes in pious resignation. I won't
do it; and when a powerful horse is beneath me, carrying me like the
wind, I feel that his strength is mine, and that I need not succumb to
feminine imbecility or helplessness in any form."
"Brava, Madge!" cried Henry Muir.
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