We have no foolish ideas about wealth, but comfort is another matter, and our daughter should at least marry a man who can give her that--and not a penniless adventurer, a sailor, a cowboy, a smuggler, and Heaven knows what else, who, in addition to everything, is hare-brained and irresponsible." Ruth was silent.

Every word she recognized as true.
"He wastes his time over his writing, trying to accomplish what geniuses and rare men with college educations sometimes accomplish.

A man thinking of marriage should be preparing for marriage.

But not he.

As I have said, and I know you agree with me, he is irresponsible.