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           WhenshehadthemwellontheroadwithMrs.Perkins,AuntAlexandrasteppedback.ShegaveMissMaudiealookofpuregratitude,andIwonderedattheworldofwomen.MissMaudieandAuntAlexandrahadneverbeenespeciallyclose,andherewasAuntysilentlythankingherforsomething.Forwhat,Iknewnot.IwascontenttolearnthatAuntAlexandracouldbepiercedsufficientlytofeelgratitudeforhelpgiven.Therewasnodoubtaboutit,Imustsoonenterthisworld,whereonitssurfacefragrantladiesrockedslowly,fannedgently,anddrankcoolwater.

           ButIwasmoreathomeinmyfather’sworld.PeoplelikeMr.HeckTatedidnottrapyouwithinnocentquestionstomakefunofyou;evenJemwasnothighlycriticalunlessyousaidsomethingstupid.Ladiesseemedtoliveinfainthorrorofmen,seemedunwillingtoapprovewholeheartedlyofthem.ButIlikedthem.Therewassomethingaboutthem,nomatterhowmuchtheycussedanddrankandgambledandchewed;nomatterhowundelectabletheywere,therewassomethingaboutthemthatIinstinctivelyliked...theyweren’t—

           "Hypocrites,Mrs.Perkins,bornhypocrites,"Mrs.Merriweatherwassaying."Atleastwedon’thavethatsinonourshouldersdownhere.Peopleupthereset‘emfree,butyoudon’tsee‘emsettin’atthetablewith‘em.Atleastwedon’thavethedeceittosayto‘emyesyou’reasgoodaswearebutstayawayfromus.Downherewejustsayyouliveyourwayandwe’llliveours.Ithinkthatwoman,thatMrs.