She was twenty-two, and her first marriage offer had come when she was sixteen.
The last had occurred only the month before, from the foreman of the washing-room, and he had been good and kind, but not young.

But this one beside her--he was strong and kind and good, and YOUNG.

She was too young herself not to desire youth.

There would have been rest from fancy starch with the foreman, but there would have been no warmth.

But this man beside her....