I went on asking her what she had read, and I own that I dare not give the list. But her frank young mind had absorbed no evil, and when I asked her how she liked one famous peccant hero, she answered quite simply—
'I liked him very much—part of the book. And when he did wrong things, I was always wanting to go to him, and tell him not to be so wicked and silly; and then, oh! I was so glad when he reformed and married Sophia.'
'But he wasn't good enough for her.'
'Ah, but then he was a man!' Her tone implied 'only a man.'
'Then you think women are better than men?'
'I think they ought to be.'
'Why?'
'Well, men have to work, and women have only to be good.'
I was surprised at this answer.
'That is not true always. Your mother is a very good woman, and has had to work very hard indeed.'