Read Online Forever and Forever (Historical Proper Romance) by Josi S. Kilpack - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Josi S. Kilpack
Tags: Fiction
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Forgive my preaching.”
“Not at all,” Fanny said as they resumed walking. “You have given me a great deal to think about. To be labeled a bluestocking is a fear of many young women who enjoy literature, you know. Your ideas would make bluestockings of my entire sex.”
“Using one’s mind should not come with a disparaging label,” Mr. Longfellow said. “Rather it should be something to be commended, something a woman should take pride in. A woman such as yourself is a shining example of the potential women have within our society. I feel our country would improve by leaps and bounds incomprehensible to our current expectations if we would give women the same opportunities now available to men and encourage them to see their value both individually and to our country as a whole.”
“And yet the beginning of this discussion was sparked by your disappointment in what men are currently offered in our American colleges.”
“I would say that at present a diploma from an American university is not much more than a reflection of a man’s status in society and a tribute to the discipline he showed in attending to his studies. While those studies certainly expand a man’s mind and vision, for the majority of those who graduate, the greatest benefit will be the connections they have made to other students.”
“Oh, but you are severe,” Fanny said, shaking her head at his candor. At the same time, she knew that the connections Tom had made while attending Harvard were the part of his education he valued most.
“I am honest,” Mr. Longfellow said, shrugging. “Having spent a great deal of time in classrooms—both as a student and a teacher—I can honestly attribute the majority of my learning to that which I have sought out on my own, much of it done at university campuses in Europe. I should very much like to bring greater opportunities to Harvard and structure teaching in a way that the students truly learn the subjects, not just recite lessons. I feel a great many women—like yourself—would benefit from such study. Perhaps they would even appreciate it more than some of these spoiled young men who simply see their collegiate years as a time of independence rather than edification.”
They reached the hotel where the Appletons were staying, and Mr. Longfellow hurried the last few steps to open the door for Fanny. She thanked him, feeling a bit shy as she passed him to enter the foyer. They walked in silence to the base of the stairs that led to the Appleton rooms.
“Thank you for such a fascinating discussion, Mr. Longfellow,” Fanny said as they began climbing the stairs side by side. She wanted to ask him what made him see her as above women in general but could not form the question in a way that she felt reflected the very intelligence he had spoken of.
Mr. Longfellow smiled, and she noted what a handsome man he was, especially when his features softened. He would have no difficulty in finding another wife if he chose to. The flash of envy and regret she felt took Fanny off guard. And worried her. Mr. Longfellow was too old for her and, besides, Fanny was devoted to her father. Without her mother to care for the household, it was Molly’s and Fanny’s responsibility.
Mr. Longfellow interrupted her thoughts. “Thank you for letting me bend your ear, Miss Fanny, and I hope I did not come across too strongly. I’m afraid that when I feel passion for something I am quite difficult to dissuade.”
For the second time, Fanny felt a twinge of envy for the possible future Mrs. Longfellow, but the topic of this jealousy caused her cheeks to heat up. It was one thing to admire the fact that he would treat his wife with equality, quite another to ponder on his passion for the woman. Had he felt such passion for his first wife, dead these long months? Did he miss her the way Father missed Mama? Did he cry for her when he felt no one was watching?
Fanny looked at the floor, rather horrified by her
“Not at all,” Fanny said as they resumed walking. “You have given me a great deal to think about. To be labeled a bluestocking is a fear of many young women who enjoy literature, you know. Your ideas would make bluestockings of my entire sex.”
“Using one’s mind should not come with a disparaging label,” Mr. Longfellow said. “Rather it should be something to be commended, something a woman should take pride in. A woman such as yourself is a shining example of the potential women have within our society. I feel our country would improve by leaps and bounds incomprehensible to our current expectations if we would give women the same opportunities now available to men and encourage them to see their value both individually and to our country as a whole.”
“And yet the beginning of this discussion was sparked by your disappointment in what men are currently offered in our American colleges.”
“I would say that at present a diploma from an American university is not much more than a reflection of a man’s status in society and a tribute to the discipline he showed in attending to his studies. While those studies certainly expand a man’s mind and vision, for the majority of those who graduate, the greatest benefit will be the connections they have made to other students.”
“Oh, but you are severe,” Fanny said, shaking her head at his candor. At the same time, she knew that the connections Tom had made while attending Harvard were the part of his education he valued most.
“I am honest,” Mr. Longfellow said, shrugging. “Having spent a great deal of time in classrooms—both as a student and a teacher—I can honestly attribute the majority of my learning to that which I have sought out on my own, much of it done at university campuses in Europe. I should very much like to bring greater opportunities to Harvard and structure teaching in a way that the students truly learn the subjects, not just recite lessons. I feel a great many women—like yourself—would benefit from such study. Perhaps they would even appreciate it more than some of these spoiled young men who simply see their collegiate years as a time of independence rather than edification.”
They reached the hotel where the Appletons were staying, and Mr. Longfellow hurried the last few steps to open the door for Fanny. She thanked him, feeling a bit shy as she passed him to enter the foyer. They walked in silence to the base of the stairs that led to the Appleton rooms.
“Thank you for such a fascinating discussion, Mr. Longfellow,” Fanny said as they began climbing the stairs side by side. She wanted to ask him what made him see her as above women in general but could not form the question in a way that she felt reflected the very intelligence he had spoken of.
Mr. Longfellow smiled, and she noted what a handsome man he was, especially when his features softened. He would have no difficulty in finding another wife if he chose to. The flash of envy and regret she felt took Fanny off guard. And worried her. Mr. Longfellow was too old for her and, besides, Fanny was devoted to her father. Without her mother to care for the household, it was Molly’s and Fanny’s responsibility.
Mr. Longfellow interrupted her thoughts. “Thank you for letting me bend your ear, Miss Fanny, and I hope I did not come across too strongly. I’m afraid that when I feel passion for something I am quite difficult to dissuade.”
For the second time, Fanny felt a twinge of envy for the possible future Mrs. Longfellow, but the topic of this jealousy caused her cheeks to heat up. It was one thing to admire the fact that he would treat his wife with equality, quite another to ponder on his passion for the woman. Had he felt such passion for his first wife, dead these long months? Did he miss her the way Father missed Mama? Did he cry for her when he felt no one was watching?
Fanny looked at the floor, rather horrified by her
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