He And I…we Share A Bond. Not

Why Should I Be Polished And Improved Like Goods For Sale? I Might Not Even Want To Marry! And Besides, I Have Many Skills. I Can Read And Write And Play The Flute And Harp. Why Should I Change To Please Some Man? If He Doesn’t Like Me The Way I Am, Then He Can Get Some Other Girl For His Wife.

This Is A—a Proposal Of Marriage?” He Asked Me, And There Was The Very Smallest Trace Of A Smile At The Corner Of His Mouth, Something I Had Never Seen Before. “i Suppose So,” I Said, Blushing Again. “and, As You See, I’m Doing It Properly, On My Knees.” “this Would, However, Be A Partnership Of Equals You’re Offering, I Imagine?” “undoubtedly.” (448-49)

Death, Of Course, Should Not Be Feared, But Awaited With Certain Wonder. To Die Was To Step Across A Threshold Into A New World, Unknown, Unimaginable.

My World Was Changing, And I Was Not Ready For It.

Trust Can Be A Hard Lesson; Hope Still More Difficult.