It is the future that I am thinking about.

No matter what you might sweep away, and to what position you might attain, it could always be said, 'He married a woman who used to keep a tavern.' Now, every one who is a friend to you, who knows what is before you, if you choose to try for it, should do everything that can be done to prevent such a thing ever being said of you.

I am a friend to you, and I am going to prevent it." I stood unable to say one word.

Her voice, her eyes, even the manner in which she stood before me, assured me that she meant everything she said.

It was almost impossible to believe that such an amiable creature could turn into such an icicle.
"I do not want you to feel worse than you can help," she said, "but it was necessary for me to speak as firmly and decidedly as I could, and now it is all settled." I knew it was all settled.