And _they_ never hesitate to speak their own wishes; to ask for what they want.

There are no tragedies, of the negative kind, in _their_ lives.

Their tragedies have come and gone already; and their power remains.

Why should good women leave power to such as they?
Why should good women's lives be wrecked for a convention?
Why in the blind following of some society fetish should life lose its charm, its possibilities?
Why should love eat its heart out, in vain?
The time will come when women will not be afraid to speak to men, as they should speak, as free and equal.

Surely if a woman is to be the equal and lifelong companion of a man, the closest to him--nay, the only one really close to him: the mother of his children--she should be free at the very outset to show her inclination to him just as he would to her.
Don't be frightened, Auntie dear; your eyes are paining me!.