Stillman loved his wife and children. He wanted them to be happy,
but in his way. He must choose their pleasures. If they could not be
satisfied with what he chose for them, it was not his fault; it was
their perversity. And as no two souls are alike, the attempt to fit a
number of them by the same pattern necessarily caused suffering to the
souls undergoing the operation.
Mrs. Stillman's sensitive organization was completely crushed; her
eldest daughter's nearly so. Martha, the second daughter, had escaped
by marrying a clever young man, who first pitied, then loved the
daughter of his employer, and persuaded her to elope with him,
assuring her of a happier home than she had with her father.
The marriage angered Mr. Stillman greatly, and all intercourse with
the disobedient daughter was forbidden.
Margaret, the third daughter, also rebelled at the fitting process;
and having a goodly portion of her father's determination, many were
the sharp words that passed between them.
So far Rachel and Susan had given no trouble. He ordered them about
as he did his dumb animals, and with no more regard to their feelings.
With his sons it was different. They would be men some day. They must
be treated with some consideration. At an early age, John, two years
older than Elizabeth, was given a share in the stock and land to
cultivate; so that when, at the age of twenty-four, he married, he had
a "right good start in the world.
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