“But the wish must come before the fairy acts, so that, after all, one is far more important than the other,” he replied.
“Wasn’t the lecture wonderful?” asked Molly.
“Very remarkable,” he answered. “Women like that should take to the platform and leave families to other women to rear.”
“They certainly can’t do both,” said Molly, remembering poor Nance’s outburst the afternoon before.
“And if you have the vote,” went on the Professor in a louder voice, and with a kind of mock solemnity, “what will you do with it?”
“They’ll pitch all the men out of office, Professor,” called Dr. McLean, who had overheard this question; “and they’ll do all the work, too, and we men will begin to enjoy life a little. We’ve been slaves long enough. I’m for the emancipation of men,” he cried, “and Woman’s Suffrage is the only way to bring it about.”
They all laughed at this original view of the question, and Mrs. McLean, a charming woman with a beautiful Scotch accent, impossible to imitate, observed:
“My dear, the women are just as great slaves as the men, and they work much harder, if only you knew it. But you don’t because we are careful to conceal it. There are vera few women who do not wear their company manners in the presence of a man, take my word for it.”
“Is that the reason you are always so charming, Mrs. McLean?” put in Professor Green. “But I suspect you have only company manners.”
“Not at all, Professor; young Andy will tell you that I can be rude enough at times.”