Page "Mary Martin" Paragraph 5

As she grew older, Martin dated Benjamin Jackson Hagman while in high school, before being sent to the Ward-Belmont finishing school in Nashville, Tennessee.

Besides imitating Fanny Brice at singing gigs, she thought school was dull and felt confined by the strict rules.

She was homesick for Weatherford, her family and Hagman.

During a visit, Mary and Benjamin persuaded Mary's mother to allow them to marry.

They did, and by the age of 17, Martin was legally married, pregnant with her first child ( Larry Hagman ) and forced to leave finishing school.

However she was happy to begin her new life.

She soon learned that this life was nothing but “ role playing ” ( p. 39 ).