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Show 57 that will disturb him in any way. I know this is his last great effort to arrive at greatness and eminence, that he may prepare himself for usefulness in this Kingdom. Oh, I realize that much is at stake and I would not do anything to retard his progress, but all in my power to assist, encourage and sustain.'9 Ellis displays an almost pathetic yearning for her husband's approval and admiration. That she was not unique in her time is demonstrated by some comments of Emmeline B. Wells, a somewhat older friend who also lived in a plural marriage situation. "Aunt Em" had a separate residence from that of the other wives in her family. Because of this she experienced great personal anguish through a real or imagined lack of association with and support from her husband. One can almost feel the ache in her words: "0 if my husband could only love me even a little and not seem so perfectly indifferent to any sensation of that kind. He cannot know the craving of my nature. He is surrounded with love on every side, and 2Q I am cast out." There are no indications from Ellis that Milford was totally indifferent, but she had an almost groveling attitude as she sought her husband's attention and approval. Whether or not such an attitude would be endorsed by today's wife, it was for Ellis one of her strongest motivations toward perfection. Transcended only by her desire to please God, it sometimes even got lumped together with that lofty purpose, for Milford's seeming infallibility did place him, in Ellis's view, somewhere near divinity. Is there a touch of jealousy in her observation that Maggie's room is more suitable for Milford's studying? If the women are |
