Page:Women Wanted.djvu/405

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THE RING AND THE WOMAN
369

life." And there were others in her particular London suburb. In New York City, even, there are women who have preferred the "free union."

You see how near it was to being wrecked, this an institution more revered by society than all of the cathedrals and art galleries. Only this war, probably, could have averted the disaster. Now this new woman, with her wage envelope and her vote, has become articulate. She can speak as one who can pay the rent, about how "we" shall live.

Oh, it's not either Hampstead or Long Island. Never mind for a while whether the lace curtains will be long enough or shall the floors be done over. Yesterday her domain was the home. To-day it's the wide, wide world to be set to order. For the first time she's facing her destiny, with the right to decide more than the parlour carpet or her satin slippers or even her sociological principles.

How "we" shall live and love together, is the question for consultation. And there is statute and dogma and custom and convention and tradition to be done over. These have been handed down until they are many of them past all usefulness. Some of them are moth-eaten and quite outworn. None of them, please note this, gentlemen, none of them is of her selection. Just think of that. There's not a code in the world that was formulated by a woman. The creeds that have come from Rome and Wittenberg and Westminster were not even submitted for woman's inspection. And marriage was made for her by law courts and church councils to which she