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The Water goats and other troubles by Ellis Parker Butler
page 34 of 62 (54%)
woman added her voice in protest, too. "I am the head of the
Statistical Department of the Society for the Obtaining of a
Uniform National Divorce Law, and the work in that department has
convinced me beyond a doubt that forced marriages always end
unhappily. In eighty-seven thousand six hundred and four cases of
forced marriages that I have tabulated I have found that eighty-
seven thousand six hundred and three have been unhappy. In the
face of such statistics Madge and I dare not allow ourselves to
be married against our wills. We insist on marrying voluntarily."

"That could be easily arranged," I ventured to say, in view of
the fact that both your fathers wish you to be married."

"Not at all," said Madge, with more independence than I had
thought her capable of; "because my father and Henry's father are
gentlemen of the old school. I would not say anything against
either father, for in ordinary affairs I they are two most suave
and charming old gentlemen, but in this they hold to the old-
school idea that children should allow their parents to select
their life-partners, and they insist that Henry and I allow
ourselves to be forced to marry each other. And that, in spite of
the statistics Henry has shown them. Our whole happiness depends
on our getting out of this building before they can come up and
get us. That is why we appeal to you."

"If you still hesitate, after what Madge has said," said Henry,
pulling a large roll of paper out of his pocket, "here are the
statistics."

"Very well," I said, "I will help you, if I can do so and not
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