| The Way of Victory |
Chapter 5 |
Page 4 |
The old way for a woman to make herself useful and helpful was to seek flax and wool, to work willingly with her hands. Woman’s work in those ancient days was limited to a few very simple industries. The meaning is that she was not willing to be a burden to her husband, but insisted on doing her share in providing. She was thrifty. It is said of Augustus, the Emperor, that at the height of his splendour he wore with pride a robe which his own wife had made. In these days not many wives spin and weave their husband’s garments, but there are other ways in which they can make themselves helpfnl. The Persian bird Juftak, they tell us, has only one wing. On the wingless side, however, the male bird has a hook and the female a ring. Neither one can fly alone, but they fasten themselves together, by means of this hook and ring, and thus fly. This illustrates the true husband and wife. Either alone is a sort of incomplete being and unable to fly upward, save in a very awkward kind of way; but united they can together rise to noble life and great happiness and blessing.
Another habit of the excellent woman is that “she riseth also while it is yet night.” Early rising has been highly praised in all ages. Almost every philosopher who has ever lived has said something in its favour. No doubt it is a good thing if one joins with it “early to bed.” Otherwise it is not good. There is no blessing in early rising if one robs one’s self of sleep to accomplish it. The good wife must manage ordinarily to get her eight hours’ sleep before she rises, whatever the time may be. Otherwise she will soon lose both health and beauty and will grow old long before her time.
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