ways for some female or other—for one of his sisters, or for one of his dear aunts, or for dearest grandmother.
"Men," as Mrs. Eaton often said, "are selfish creatures and may be counted on to take care of themselves, but girls must be guarded against their own generous impulses and their genius for self-sacrifice."
In the case of Edward's sisters this guarding must have been successfully performed at an extremely early age. For by the time that his first clear recollection of them begins, their generous impulses seem to have been pretty well immolated and their genius for self-sacrifice nipped in the bud.
They were comely girls, except during adolescence when, as was the custom at that time, they were encouraged to hang their heads and look ashamed of themselves, and they were able girls with their heads and hands. Months after the Eaton boys, including the youngest, had spent the last penny of their Christmas money, the Eaton girls still had funds tucked away in safe places. They were always saving up for something "really worth while." In addition, whatever money Mr. and Mrs. Eaton were able to save was put aside for them.
"Give a boy a sound education, teach him the
