It was evidently not expected that the young guest should venture to discuss the question, but rather have accepted her rebuke meekly, and acknowledged herself in the wrong.  But she had the courage of her opinions, and the eagerness of youth, and could hardly bear to be so easily defeated.  So when Mrs. Fraley, mistaking the moment’s silence for a final triumph, said again, that a woman’s place was at home, and that a strong-minded woman was out of place, and unwelcome everywhere, the girl’s cheeks flushed suddenly.

“I think it is a pity that we have fallen into a habit of using strong-mindedness as a term of rebuke,” she said.  “I am willing to acknowledge that people who are eager for reforms are apt to develop unpleasant traits, but it is only because they have to fight against opposition and ignorance.  When they are dead and the world is reaping the reward of their bravery and constancy, it no longer laughs, but makes statues of them, and praises diem, and thanks them in every way it can.  I think we ought to judge each other by the highest standards, Mrs. Fraley, and by whether we are doing good work.”

“My day is past,” said the hostess.  “I do not belong to the present, and I suppose my judgment is worth nothing to you;” and Nan looked up quickly and affectionately.

“I should like to have all my friends believe that I am doing right,” she said.  “I do feel very certain that we must educate people properly if we want them to be worth anything.  It is no use to treat all the boys and girls as if nature had meant them for the same business and scholarship, and try to put them through the same drill, for that is sure to mislead and confuse all those who are not perfectly sure of what they want.  There are plenty of people dragging themselves miserably through the world, because they are clogged and fettered with work for which they have no fitness.  I know I haven’t had the experience that you have, Mrs. Fraley, but I can’t help believing that nothing is better than to find one’s work early and hold fast to it, and put all one’s heart into it.”

“I have done my best to serve God in the station to which it has pleased Him to call me,” said Mrs. Fraley, stiffly.  “I believe that a young man’s position is very different from a girl’s.  To be sure, I can give my opinion that everything went better when the master workmen took apprentices to their trades, and there wasn’t so much schooling.  But I warn you, my dear, that your notion about studying to be a doctor has shocked me very much indeed.  I could not believe my ears,—­a refined girl who bears an honorable and respected name to think of being a woman doctor!  If you were five years older you would never have dreamed of such a thing.  It lowers the pride of all who have any affection for you.  If it were not that your early life had been somewhat peculiar and most unfortunate, I should blame you more; as it is, I can but wonder at the lack of judgment in others.  I shall look forward in spite of it all to seeing you happily married.”  To which Miss Prince assented with several decided nods.