I am prouder of Frederick standing up against injustice, than if he had been simply a good officer.
p. 109
It’s easy to be satisfied with good. Don’t make waves; be nice; get a certificate when you’re time is up. Margaret is not satisfied with good. She’s proud of Frederick doing the right thing, even though the cost tore at the whole family’s soul. When the right decision makes you pay—especially in relationships—it’s harder to stand up and do it. It’s easier to just get along.
The love she has for Frederick will bring a challenge to her own integrity later. Which is one of the highlights of just a so-so novel. Margaret is—for the most part—a real character that we can believe in and see walking down the street and making the decisions she makes.
Lingering Over Leaves 