MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 3 



possess those innate qualities and the sense of fairplay 

 which belong to men. Win, tie or wrangle is more in their 

 line. Then, again, constitute a bench of female magistrates 

 and what would become of justice ? How many women 

 can look with unbiassed mind on two sides of a question ? 

 No ; you want to get them out of their element, and what 

 would become of them ? It would be like hunting an otter 

 on dry land or a fox in a river. It's all nonsense, Lavinia, 

 and I believe in your heart you know it." 



" Indeed I know nothing of the sort, Hugo ; if you ever 

 had read history you would know that the influence of 

 women has had much to do with the ruling of the world." 



" Influence ! Yes, that's quite another pair of shoes. I 

 don't deny their influence ; to my mind that is just what 

 you are going to do away with if you have your will. A 

 woman's influence hinges entirely upon her being a woman. 

 I grant she can assist her husband immeasurably, though, 

 if she has ambition, she may possibly ruin him ; but put her 

 by herself to take her own part and force her own way in the 

 world, she'll go down in the vortex for want of some one to 

 hold her up. The aim of a woman ought to be to marry, 

 and marry well, to run in double harness ; but who cares to 

 marry an athlete, a sportswoman who endangers the lives 

 of all concerned with her gun, or a would-be political shining 

 light ? Of course, there are circumstances which alter cases, 

 Lavinia," he added, seeing a pained look in his sister's face, 

 though it passed in a moment. 



''And I am to sit still, am I, Hugo, and see my sex put 

 upon and not reach out a finger to help them ? " 



'* I don't say that ; but if I were you I should recollect 

 what old iEsop said about the fox who had lost his tail, as he 

 called it. I wouldn't endeavour to persuade my sex to wear, 

 well, hygienic clothes and things. I don't believe either you or 

 any one, except a few soured and shrivelled spinsters, have the 

 smallest intention of making yourselves objects of ridicule." 



" People would soon get used to a nine days' wonder," 

 Miss Badsworth said. 



I * 



