"Ladies are in danger of losing their privileges when they usurp the place of the other sex. They cannot claim both."
"Why should a woman not earn her bread by her brains?"
Doctor Ripley felt irritated by the quiet manner in which the lady cross-questioned him.
"I should much prefer not to be led into a discussion, Miss Smith."
"Doctor Smith," she interrupted.
"Well, Doctor Smith! But if you insist upon an answer, I must say that I do not think medicine a suitable profession for women and that I have a personal objection to masculine ladies."
It was an exceedingly rude speech, and he was ashamed of it, the instant after he had made it. The lady however, simply raised her eyebrows and smiled.
"It seems to me that you are begging the question," said she. "Of course, if it makes women masculine that would be a considerable deterioration."
It was a neat little counter, and Doctor Ripley, like a pinked fencer, bowed his acknowledgment.
"I must go," said he.