Part 4 (2/2)
”I hope not!”
”Why?”
”Because if you think so, I have been mistaken. I have formed a wrong estimate of your character if you care for those things.”
”And supposing I did? Would it be, think you--unwomanly?”
”As the world wags? No. On the contrary. The absolute quintessence of womanliness in nine hundred and ninety-nine women out of a possible thousand.”
”But----”
”Ah! that is it!”
”But if I did care for all and singular the things you object to so much?”
”I should be sorry--really sorry--that I had spoken as I have done.”
”Why?”
”Because it would, must, savour of impertinence. We, each of us, have a right to our own opinions. I should just hate to think that I have been forcing mine on any one; it would be a painful thing. Opinions, like boots, should fit the wearer--neither too narrow nor too wide, and possibly an allowance for stretching a point. To force an opinion would be a modernized version of the iron boot the torturers used to handle in the Inquisition days.”
”But you expressed yourself”--she smiled at the recollection of it--”very strongly just now.”
”Because I thought we were more or less on the same plane; were thinking in common. I hoped so.”
”Tell me, will you, why you thought me different from other women: thought as you did of me?”
”Oh, come! Isn't that now--don't you think that rather hard on me?”
”Why?”
”To put such a question as that. Calling on me to tell you why I think.”
”Why not?”
”Think! If I could bring myself to lie you would not like it. Yet, supposing I said something to offend you?”
”Why should you?”
”Because of my ignorance. I would not for worlds--knowingly. You would know that I should not mean to.”
”Very well, then. Why should I take offence where none is intended?”
He hesitated a moment. Plainly saw the danger-signal flying; then he spoke:
”You are a woman.”
She tossed her head at that. There was no mistaking the tone in which she said:
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