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girls sharply that they were being ungrateful and that Sisyphus had proven himself worthy without a doubt by saving his life。 At his admonition; their cries became sniffles6; and they sat quietly; swollen…eyed and sullen。
Sisyphus surveyed his choices and smiled when his eyes landed upon Merope。 “I would have Merope; sir。 Merope will be my wife。” Her sisters’ heads snapped up; and where there had been dread a moment before; there was now jubilation7 and chagrin in quick succession。
“You would prefer Merope over us?” the eldest asked incredulously。 “Have you no eyes to see?”
Their father spoke harshly again; and all the sisters but Merope left the room。 “Sisyphus; I am happy to give you Merope’s hand in marriage; but I must know why you chose her but not one of my other daughters。”
“Sir;” the mason explained; “your daughters are brilliant beauties; that no one can deny。 But their beauty will fade and their brilliance will bee brittle and bitter when they realize they are no longer desirable。 But Merope’s beauty is of the spirit; and that will not fade。 Her brilliance is of the mind; and that will not fade。 I think I made the wisest choice from among all of your daughters; sir。”
So Merope and Sisyphus were married; and over time; his prophecy came to pass。 Merope’s sisters lost their beauty and ceased to be the quarry of young men’s quest for love。 They became bitter and morose; locked in their father’s house with no more gentleman callers to
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