The Foot of Time: A Novel of Australia and the South Seas: (1933)

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106 THE FOOT OF TIME
"God forbid, my dear. You couldn't stop Bruce
at anything to which he set his mind if you tried.
Let him have a free rein, child. The more you try
to hold him in, the harder he'll pull. Don't I know
'em! Do you think he really loves you?"
"I'm sure of it, Auntie."
"So'm I, my pet. If I wasn't, nothing would
stop me from getting between you. As it is—"
"Yes, Aunt Floss?"
"As it is, you shall marry the boy if—if—there,
you leave it to me, child. If things go awry, come
to your old Aunt. Look up Florence Tooth. You'll
marry him all right, my love, never fear; but don't
be in a hurry. You must be patient. I entirely disagree
with long engagements, but exceptions prove
the rule. Don't get engaged, just wait for the boy.
Do you understand me? Wait for him. If you
find he isn't the saint you think him, ask yourself,
`Will he stick to me? Will he prove himself a better
man than his father, and put aside indiscretion
with marriage?' If your heart tells you he will, go
ahead, my pet, and marry the young devil. After you
are married, let him have his own way. He won't
want it then. He'll love curbing. Don't think
marriage finishes it, it only starts it. After you are
married you have to keep him. That's the hardest
part, my dear. Don't I know. Keep your sweet
self attractive for him. Be far more particular in
this after your marriage than before. That's where
some of you girls display such ignorance. Feed the
brutes, Edith; feed them and fascinate them. Don't
I know 'em."
THE FOOT OF TIME 107
"You don't think very well of men, Auntie, do
you?"
"Yes and no, child. There is as much similarity
between men and women as between a sparrow and
a cat. They're all brutes, every mother-son of
them. Don't tell me. What you have to do is to
choose a clear-minded brute."
"But you trust Bruce, don't you, Aunt?"
"'Mm!" replied Florence Tooth. "I would trust
him with my dearest secret. I would consign my
last penny in his care, otherwise, my dear, young
Bruce Swinton, or whatever his name is, happens
to be a man. Also, he has a tainted family record.
Stick to him, my darling, and wait for him. That's
your old Aunt's advice to you. I think you are
going to have a steep climb. You are likely to find
obstacles in your way that appear insurmountable.
You'll get over them. I'm certain of it. I know it
as surely as I live. Your secret is safe with me, pet.
You know that without my saying it. You've
found your mate, Edith; I feel it. Stick to him
through everything. The boy's sound; he rings
true, my dear. Don't be too squeamish over morals
this side of your marriage. Time enough for that
afterwards. Don't ask him difficult questions.
Trust him and all will be well."
"Oh, Auntie, you are a darling! I do love you so
awfully much."
"Fiddlesticks, child!" said Florence Tooth.
"Don't tell me."
"Mrs. Swinton to see you, if you please, Mum."