Well, you know She went to school here as the others did. But who knew that I grieved to see her lose A schooling at St. Mary's, have no chance? No chance save what she earned herself? What girl Has earned the money for two years in college Beside my Elenor in this neighborhood? There is not one! But then if books and schooling Be things prerequisite for success in life, Why should we have a social scheme that clings To marriage and the home, when such a soul Is turned into the world from such a home, With schooling so inadequate? If the state May take our sons and daughters for its use In war, in peace, why let the state raise up And school these sons and daughters, let the home Go to full ruin from half ruin now, And let us who have failed in choosing mates Re-choose, without that fear of children's fate Which haunts us now. For look at Elenor! Why did she never marry? Any man Had made his life rich had he married her. But in this present scheme of things such women Move in a life where men are mostly less In mind and heart than they are--and the men Who are their equals never come to them, Or come to them too seldom, or if they come Are blind and do not know these Elenors. And she had character enough to live In single life, refuse the lesser chance, Since she found not the great one, as I think. But let it pass--I'm sure she was beloved, And more than once, I'm sure. But I am sure She was too wise for errors crude and common. And if she had a love that stopped her heart, She knew beforehand all, and met her fate Bravely, and wrote that "To be brave and not To flinch," to keep before her soul her faith Deep down within it, lest she might forget it Among her crowded thoughts. She went to the war. She came to see me before she went, and said She owed her courage and her restless spirit To me, her will to live, her love of life, Her power to sacrifice and serve, to me. She put her arms about my neck and kissed me, Said I had been a mother to her, being A mother if no more; wished she had brought More happiness to me, material things, Delight in life.