66 Thiety-Sixth Annual Report of the 



should leave her unprotected, she will be less liable to fall a 

 victim in the toils of unscrupulous estate adjusters. 



Don't go about with your lips shut and your mind occupied 

 on matters too weighty for her comprehension. If she timidly 

 calls your attention to the merits of some new dish or improve- 

 ment, don't carelessly say : "O, it's all right, if it wasn't you'd 

 hear from me." Such comments will crush the spirit and ambi- 

 tion in any woman. 



Don't take it for granted that she knows you love her, tell 

 her so. I'll give you a ration. Tell her three times a day that 

 you love her — no roughage in this if you please. Don't tell her in 

 an indifferent way. You know how you said it the first time, 

 now repeat it wdth renewed tenderness. Three times a day is 

 not too often and many women can assimilate to advantage a 

 much heavier ration. Don't be afraid to use endearing terms ; 

 have a pet name for her and call her girl, even if she be sixty or 

 older. Youth and age are the times when love is best appreciated. 



Don't complain that women fade and that the stylish, lively 

 girl is too often apt to change into a morose, commonplace 

 matron, for it lies within your power to prevent this transforma- 

 tion. A woman's heart is a strange creation, it is a sensitive 

 plant that sends out tiny clinging tendrils and if they come in 

 contact with a cold, unresponsive barrier, they will turn and 

 seek sustenance elsewhere. 



Sometimes she will transfer to her children the love and de- 

 votion that would have been gladly given to her husband had 

 she met encouragement. Again the better part of her affection- 

 ate nature is bestowed upon clubs, charity work, educational aims 

 or ambitious schemes. Sometimes Satan, in the guise of one 

 who understands her nature, offers a glittering imitation of the 

 more substantial love she craves, and if she has been taught to 

 regard indolence and luxury above honor and industry, her situa- 

 tion is indeed a perilous one, but, if from childhood she has been 

 trained in a belief that humble duty conscientiously performed 

 may bring greater reward and joy than a realized ambition, she 

 stands serene and safe. 



So long as she has assurance of her husband's love and con- 

 fidence she will never grow old or discontented. Tall sons and 

 daughters, yes, and tiny grandchildren may mark the progress of 

 years, but she, living in an atmosphere of love and sympathy and 

 confidence will never grow old. I thank you for your patience 

 and for your attention. I have felt your sympathy through the 

 whole evening. Again I thank you. 



