Forever and Forever (Historical Proper Romance) by Josi S. Kilpack Page B

roles.
    “Certainly,” Mr. Longfellow said with a nod. “If they wish to. There are a few institutions being established that offer women the opportunity to better themselves with education, but I fear they have not received the governmental support they need to truly flourish.”
    “Forgive my impertinence,” Fanny said, feeling a bit of a devil’s advocate, “but for what end should women pursue college? Why should a woman need a greater education than what is required for running her home and managing her family—tasks she learns at home?”
    Mr. Longfellow considered that a moment, then gave her a sly grin that took her off guard. “Perhaps you can answer that better than I, Miss Fanny. Why should a young woman tour Europe? In what way would that influence her life for good? How should a European education of culture and art benefit her in the running of her home and the caring of her family?”
    He was being so casual with her, speaking to her as he would a man—a contemporary or a peer. Fanny found it both flattering and strange. Certainly no other man had ever spoken to her this way.
    She contemplated Mr. Longfellow’s question and could not keep from smiling. “I see your point, but we both know my situation is different than that of the majority of American women. I have the luxury of indulging in such things that most women do not—but I do not need such education. It is purely for enjoyment that I get to explore the world and the ideas it presents. Such things will have little to do with daily living, though I do expect them to be the foundation of conversation at dinner parties.”
    Mr. Longfellow cocked his head to the side, causing Fanny to feel as though she’d disappointed him with her answer. “If you don’t mind my saying so, Miss Fanny, if all this journey gives you is dinner conversation, it would be a sad waste.”
    Fanny was instantly offended and opened her mouth to say so, but he spoke before she could get a word out.
    “Particularly for a woman of your mind and intellect.”
    Fanny’s offence died upon her lips. “ My mind and intellect? I may live in a different social class than other women, but surely my intellect is average as a common sparrow.”
    “Oh no,” Mr. Longfellow said softly, shaking his head. “You are a woman of far greater depth than most.”
    The compliment left Fanny speechless. She certainly had never thought of herself as dull-witted, but neither had she felt she excelled in matters of scholastic pursuit. To hear someone else, especially someone she had grown to respect so much, say such a thing was rather exciting.
    “To back up a few steps, however,” Mr. Longfellow said, finally breaking eye contact with her. “You said that your indulgence in educational pursuits is a luxury. But should not women have as much opportunity as men to expand their minds, and would that not expand their lives and influence just as it does for men?”
    Fanny wanted to explore his comment regarding her mind, but did not want to appear arrogant. Or overly surprised. She focused on his last question and resumed her role as devil’s advocate. “Again I would ask, to what end should women’s minds be so expanded? Most women in the world shall be focused on the daily tasks of household maintenance for all of their lives. What need have they to read a travel book, for example, if they will never travel?”
    “I would submit that every human would benefit from reading about the world, whether they will ever see it or not. Do we not believe that we have much to learn from history and scripture? What more could we learn from the history of other countries? And when I say ‘we,’ I mean our fellow Americans.
    “If for no other cause than to remind us of how our founding principles differ from other nations, we should know how the world operates. Without such knowledge, we run great risk of future generations not understanding the distinction between America and the British