World War I Collection

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.