I was a boyish husband as to years. I had known the softening influence of no other sorrows or experiences than those recorded in these leaves. If I did any wrong,as I may have done much, I did it in mistaken love,and in my want of wisdom. I write the exact truth. It would avail me nothing to extenuate it now.
Thus it was that I took upon myself the toils and cares of our life, and had no partner in them. We lived much as before, in reference to our scrambling household arrangements; but I had got used to those,and Dora I was pleased to see was seldom vexed now.She was bright and cheerful in the old childish way, loved me dearly, and was happy with her old trifles.