I have had a good week, quite one of the best since I arrived here. I
had an order from Mr. C. to do a bust of Miss Spence for the school.
Mrs. C., when she came to talk to me about it, told me that Miss Spence
had to be treated as Royalty. Royalty do not alarm me, and I expected
Miss Spence would! But she was far more interesting than that.
Every morning except one Miss Spence had sat to me from 10:15 until 1
o’clock--and we have hardly stopped talking the entire time. I have
enjoyed every moment of the sittings, and subconsciously our talks have
helped to mature certain plans in my mind, plans as to the future, and
the education of my children. Miss Spence is among the largest minded
people I have met over here. I like her points of view. I like her big
heart, her adoration of immature youth, her understanding, and her
quick grasp of situations. Moreover her head is extremely interesting,
although very difficult to do. Her mouth has a kindly sense of humor
without being weak. Her eyes, when she talks, light up with inward
vision and enthusiasm.
We have talked a great deal about America, and I find myself talking
to the Scotchwoman in her, not to the American born. It becomes a very
impartial discussion. The position of woman here as compared with
England is an unworn-out subject. The attitude of Englishmen toward the
marriage state, their sense of possession, their domination, the laws
of divorce, the laws of custody of children, we have reviewed it and
deplored it.
To-day there is an account in the NEW YORK HERALD of Lady
Astor in the House pleading for mothers, that they may have at least
an equal right to their children, and as Miss Spence pointed out, how
strange that a woman from _this_ country should have to do it for the
English women!
We discussed “Main Street,” which we are both in process of reading.
I have already said that its author is the Thackeray of the United
States, but Miss Spence said even more. She said: “It is Balsac-ian.”