Page:Side talks with girls (1895).djvu/259

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The Young Husband's First Year
247

make her feel that what she has is not hers by right. She earns it just as much as you do, for she makes a home for you, and she gives you such happiness as can come from no other woman. Don't do as some men, let a woman make bills all over the town and never give her any money; but let her learn the value of money by handling it; let her realize what it means; let her delight in buying for you, with the money that is hers, something for your birthday, or for Christmas, or to introduce a New Year of love.

YOUR WIFE'S MOTHER

You wish her to love your mother; then you must show the same kindly feeling to hers. Think it all out, and realize how close a girl is to her mother; how "my mother" represents consolation and wisdom to her; how she goes to mother with her grief and her happiness, and remember that you have to be not only husband, but mother, for you must be so tender to her that, with her head on your breast and your arms about her, she will tell her troubles and her worries, her joys and her pleasures, and not only look for, but receive sympathy from you. And then, when her mother is there, be gentle and considerate of her. She has given you her companion and her little helper, and be sure that there has been many a lonely