It might not be so bad.

Then, after reflecting, said, why go at all, if there was no hope?
Of what use could I be?
If there was hope, he would agree to my going, but as there was none, he must object.
In fact, he did not see how I could think of leaving him with those goods on his hands.

How could I be so ready to drop all and not think of the consequences, for what could he do with that stock of dry goods.

My mother pretended to be a Christian, but would take me away from my duty.
I, too, read the Bible, but paid little heed to its teachings.

He brought that book and read all of Paul's directions to wives, but rested his case on Ephesians, v, 22: "Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord.