I once laughed at the vanity of women of thirty or forty who whitened their ruddy old skin with lead, but now I know such salves are not disguises for old crones who wish to catch a young husband. Instead they are only a mask we wear so that we can, for a little while, still recognize ourselves.

Summary

This quote challenges the perception of women using beauty products to appear younger. The narrator acknowledges their previous judgment of older women resorting to cosmetics, implying it was driven by vanity. However, they have come to understand that these products are not merely attempts to attract men, but rather a way for women to retain a sense of identity and self-recognition. It suggests that the desire to maintain one's appearance goes beyond societal expectations and can be a personal choice to hold onto a familiar self-image, even if temporary.

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