CEHBates501

only qualities were intellectual and spiritual and to
marry her. I would far rather have a girl with a good
mind and a fine character than one with a couple
of limosines [limousines] and a membership in three country clubs.
We who live according to rule, really don't live at all. We
are bondsmen whose will is but the custom of a class, whose
soul is buried in a sea of inhibitions and social taboos.
If we want to live real Godlike lives, we'll defy the whole
class cult and give our own impulses a little liberty.

Why do we like such a person? Because she or he is of a
nice family; because her mother once saw Mrs. Hamilton Fish;
because she belongs to the "best" circles? — By heaven, if
we don't chose [choose] our friendships by our "our"[crossed out] own heart's desire
we are Hepzibah's indeed! I have a notion you and mother
agree on this point — that a girl is to be judged by her
family and not by her own God-given virtues. It's a
hopeless, withering old maid attitude and those who have it
grow prematurely old and keep parrots and cats and yellow
canaries in wicker cages.