"We must always remember that the most useful weapons in a girl's hands are those of submission, faith and reverence. Men hate—they hate and detest—women who think for themselves. They positively loathe the woman who dares turn them into ridicule."
She looked as if she could be one of the few who possess that daring.
"Fortunately," she went on, "such women are rare. Even among the strong-minded crew, the shrieking sisterhood, most of them are obliged to worship some man or other of their own school."
"I don't understand. Pardon me, Mrs. Cassilis, that I am so stupid. I say what I think, and you tell me I am sarcastic."
"Girls in society never say what they think. They assent, or at best ask a question timidly."
"And I make a little pencil sketch of you, and you tell me I am a caricaturist."
"Girls who can draw must draw in the conventional manner recognised by society. They do not draw likenesses; they copy flowers, and sometimes draw angels and crosses. To please men they draw soldiers and horses."
"But why cannot girls draw what they please? And why must they try to attract?"
Mrs. Cassilis looked at this most innocent of girls with misgiving. Could she be so ignorant as she seemed, or was she pretending.
"Why? Phillis Fleming, only ask me that question again in six months' time if you dare."