i8 MORE POT-POURRI 



inclined to take your view, and has, if anything, kept me 

 back rather than urged me on, always fearing that, 

 instead of arousing an interest in a subject, one should 

 simply cause a lasting distaste, if it is offered too early 

 to the immature mind. We cannot, however, put off 

 this ' ' training of faculty ' ' indefinitely, and I am becom- 

 ing more and more awake to the fact that my child, in 

 her cosy, comfortable home, does not know as much as I, 

 immured in a boarding-school, knew at her age. The 

 most tantalising part of the matter is that when I can 

 shake off this incubus of duty, she and I are so happy 

 together. I suppose there is some similarity in our 

 minds and tastes that makes her very responsive to me. 

 I cannot bring myself, owing, doubtless, to my own defec- 

 tive bringing-up, to stand at a distance, as it were, and 

 criticise severely. As M. has no classes this afternoon, 

 we are off to the British Museum — a sort of treat we 

 both thoroughly enjoy. But, as you know, I am given 

 to misgivings ; the question arises sometimes whether the 

 companionship of my mature mind is the best. ' ' Child- 

 hood ought to be with childhood ' ' is constantly being 

 repeated to me.' 



This letter seemed to me so touching that I sent it to 

 a friend of mine much interested in the subject. She 

 returned it with the following remarks, which express in 

 strong terms very much what I feel myself : ' I quite 

 agree — one of the most interesting letters you've had. 

 But it is harrowing to me the way this poor mother 

 won't let herself benefit by your advice, although she 

 seems to approve of it. You ask for my comments. I 

 should say she gives the receipt of what her line of con- 

 duct should be in the sentence ' ' When I can shake off 

 this incubus of duty she and I are so happy together. I 

 suppose there is some similarity in our minds and tastes 

 that makes her very responsive to me." Just fancy a 



