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Strindberg, August, 1849-1912

"Married"


But the mother-in-law wrote enthusiastic letters and repeated over and
over again that marriage was instituted by God for the protection of
the children; the parents' pleasure counted for very little.
Hugo implored her to forget the fact that she would not be able to
earn anything in future. Didn't she do her full share of the work by
mothering the baby? Wasn't that as good as money? Money was, rightly
understood, nothing but work. Therefore she paid her share in full.
It took her a long time to get over the fact that he had to keep her.
But when the baby came, she forgot all about it. She remained his wife
and companion as before in addition to being the mother of his child,
and he found that this was worth more than anything else.


A NATURAL OBSTACLE

Her father had insisted on her learning book-keeping, so that she might
escape the common lot of young womanhood; to sit there and wait for a
husband.
She was now employed as book-keeper in the goods department of the
Railways, and was universally looked upon as a very capable young
woman. She had a way of getting on with people, and her prospects were
excellent.
Then she met the green forester from the School of Forestry and
married him.


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