“This is why I made up my mind to be a physician,” said the culprit; and though she had been looking down and growing more uncomfortable every moment, she suddenly gave her head a quick upward movement and looked at Mrs. Fraley frankly, with a beautiful light in her clear eyes.  “I believe that God has given me a fitness for it, and that I never could do anything else half so well.  Nobody persuaded me into following such a plan; I simply grew toward it.  And I have everything to learn, and a great many faults to overcome, but I am trying to get on as fast as may be.  I can’t be too glad that I have spent my childhood in a way that has helped me to use my gift instead of hindering it.  But everything helps a young man to follow his bent; he has an honored place in society, and just because he is a student of one of the learned professions, he ranks above the men who follow other pursuits.  I don’t see why it should be a shame and dishonor to a girl who is trying to do the same thing and to be of equal use in the world.  God would not give us the same talents if what were right for men were wrong for women.”

“My dear, it is quite unnatural you see,” said the antagonist, impatiently.  “Here you are less than twenty-five years old, and I shall hear of your being married next thing,—­at least I hope I shall,—­and you will laugh at all this nonsense.  A woman’s place is at home.  Of course I know that there have been some women physicians who have attained eminence, and some artists, and all that.  But I would rather see a daughter of mine take a more retired place.  The best service to the public can be done by keeping one’s own house in order and one’s husband comfortable, and by attending to those social responsibilities which come in our way.  The mothers of the nation have rights enough and duties enough already, and need not look farther than their own firesides, or wish for the plaudits of an ignorant public.”

“But if I do not wish to be married, and do not think it right that I should be,” said poor Nan at last.  “If I have good reasons against all that, would you have me bury the talent God has given me, and choke down the wish that makes itself a prayer every morning that I may do this work lovingly and well?  It is the best way I can see of making myself useful in the world.  People must have good health or they will fail of reaching what success and happiness are possible for them; and so many persons might be better and stronger than they are now, which would make their lives very different.  I do think if I can help my neighbors in this way it will be a great kindness.  I won’t attempt to say that the study of medicine is a proper vocation for women, only that I believe more and more every year that it is the proper study for me.  It certainly cannot be the proper vocation of all women to bring up children, so many of them are dead failures at it; and I don’t see why all girls should be thought failures who do not marry.  I don’t believe