Polly Hampton 20

I’m not rushing,’ said Polly. ‘It’s the only marriage I could ever have made, and if it had continued to be impossible I should have lived and died a spinster.’

‘Oh, no you wouldn’t,’ said Aunt Sadie, ‘you’ve no idea how long life goes on and how many many changes it brings. Young people seem to imagine that it’s all over in a flash, that they do this thing, or that thing, and then die, but I can assure you they are quite wrong. I suppose it’s no good saying this to you, Polly, as I can see your mind is made up, but since you have the whole of your life before you as a married woman why not make the most of being a girl? You’ll never be one again. You’re only twenty. Why be in such a hurry to change?’

‘I hate being a girl, I’ve hated it ever since I grew up,’ said Polly, ‘and besides, do you really think a life-time is too long for perfect happiness? I don’t.’

Aunt Sadie gave a profound sigh.

‘I wonder why it is that all girls suppose the married state to be one of perfect happiness? Is it just clever old Dame Nature’s way of hurrying them into a trap?’

Nancy Mitford  ·  Love in a Cold Climate