Some distant rumour, however, had
reached him that the course of true love was not running quite smooth, and
therefore on that subject he would not speak, at any rate till Greystock
should first mention it. "How odd it is to find two women living all alone
in a great house like that," Frank had said.
"Because so few women have the means to live in large houses, unless they
live with fathers or husbands."
"The truth is," said Frank, "that women don't do well alone. There is
always a savour of misfortune--or, at least, of melancholy--about a
household which has no man to look after it. With us, generally, old maids
don't keep houses, and widows marry again. No doubt it was an unconscious
appreciation of this feeling which brought about the burning of Indian
widows. There is an unfitness in women for solitude. A female Prometheus,
even without a vulture, would indicate cruelty worse even than Jove's. A
woman should marry--once, twice, and thrice if necessary."
"Women can't marry without men to marry them."
Frank Greystock filled his pipe as he went on with his lecture. "That idea
as to the greater number of women is all nonsense.
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