human
No; I don't think it is all for the best, said Hadria.
gpt
I think, as far as my influence goes, it is all for the worst. What fatal argument my life will give to those who are seeking reasons to hold our sex in the old bondage! My struggles, my failure, will add to the staggering weight that we all stumble under. I have hindered more--that is the bitter thing--by having tried and failed, than if I had never tried at all. Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Gordon herself, has given less arguments to the oppressors than I.
human
But why? But how?
gpt
Because no one can point to _them_, as they will to me, and say, 'See, what a ghastly failure! See how feeble after all, are these pretentious women of the new order, who begin by denying the sufficiency of the life assigned them, by common consent, and end by failing in that and in the other which they aspire to. What has become of all the talent and all the theories and resolves?' And so the next girl who dares to have ambitions, and dares to scorn the _rôle_ of adventuress that society allots to her, will have the harder fate because of my attempt. Now nothing in the whole world, cried Hadria, her voice losing the even tones in which she had been speaking,
human
I never said it was, but when a thing has to be, why not make the best of it?
gpt
And so persuade people that all is well, when all is not well! That's exactly what women always do and always have done, and plume themselves upon it. And so this ridiculous farce is kept up, because these wretched women go smiling about the world, hugging their stupid resignation to their hearts, and pampering up their sickly virtue, at the expense of their sex. Hang their virtue!
human
It _is_ somewhat self-regarding certainly, in spite of the incessant renunciation and sacrifice.
gpt
Oh, self-sacrifice in a woman, is always her easiest course. It is the nearest approach to luxury that society allows her,
human
It is most refreshing to hear you exaggerate, once more, with the old vigour,
gpt
If I have a foible, it is under-statement,
human
Then I think you haven't a foible,
gpt
That I am ready to admit; but seriously, women seem bent on proving that you may treat them as you like, but they will 'never desert Mr. Micawber.'
human
They are so mortally afraid of getting off the line and doing what might not be quite right. They take such a morbid interest in their own characters. They are so particular about their souls. The female soul is such a delicate creation--like a bonnet. Look at a woman trimming and poking at her bonnet--that's exactly how she goes on with her soul.
gpt
It has trained her in a sort of heroism, at any rate,
human
Heroism! talk of Spartan boys, they are not in it! A woman will endure martyrdom with the expression of a seraph,--an extremely aggravating seraph. She looks after her soul as if it were the ultimate fact of the universe. She will trim and preen that ridiculous soul, though the heavens fall and the rest of her sex perish.
gpt
Come now, I think there are exceptions.
human
A few, but very few. It is a point of honour, a sacred canon. Women will go on patiently drawing water in sieves, and pretend they are usefully employed because it tires them!
gpt
They believe it,
human
Perhaps so. But it's very silly.
gpt
It is really well meant. It is a submission to the supposed will of heaven.
human
A poor compliment to Heaven!
gpt
Well, it is not, of course, your conception nor mine of the will of heaven, but it is their's.
human
I wish women would think a little less of Heaven in the abstract, and a little more of one another, in the concrete.
gpt
Nobody has ever taught them to think of one another; on the contrary, they have always been trained to think of men, and of Heaven, and their souls. That training accounts for their attitude towards their own sex.
human
I suppose so. A spirit of sisterhood among women would have sadly upset the social scheme, as it has been hitherto conceived. Indeed the social scheme has made such a spirit well-nigh impossible.
gpt
A conquering race, if it is wise, governs its subjects largely through their internecine squabbles and jealousies. _But what if they combine----?_
human
Ah! Hadria drew a deep sigh.
gpt
I wish the moment of sisterhood were a little nearer.
human
Heaven hasten it!
gpt
Perhaps it is nearer than we imagine. Women are quick learners, when they begin. But, oh, it is hard sometimes to make them begin. They are so annoyingly abject; so painfully diffident. It is their pride to be humble. The virtuous worm won't even turn!
human
Poor worm! It sometimes permits itself the relief of verbal expression!
gpt
There are smiling, villainous worms, who deny themselves even _that!_
human
Oh, I cannot even turn! replied Hadria.
gpt
Necessity knows no law. The one thing I won't do, is to be virtuously resigned. And I won't 'make the best of it.'
human
I am relieved to hear so wrong-headed a sentiment from you. It sounds more like your old self.
gpt
I won't be called wrong-headed on this account, said Hadria.
human
If my life is to bear testimony to the truth, its refrain ought to be, 'This is wrong, this is futile, this is cruel, this is damnable.' I shall warn every young woman I come across, to beware, as she grows older, and has people in her clutches, not to express her affection by making unlimited demands on the beloved objects, nor by turning the world into a prison-house for those whom she honours with her devotion. The hope of the future lies in the rising generation. You can't alter those who have matured in the old ideas. It is for us to warn. I _won't_ pretend to think that things are all right, when I know they are not all right. That would be mean. What is called making the best of it, would testify all the wrong way. My life, instead of being a warning, would be a sort of a trap. Let me at least play the humble rôle of scarecrow. I am in excellent condition for it,
gpt
I fear, she said,
human
Then you think it would be better to be 'resigned,' and look after one's own soul?
gpt
Heaven knows what would be better! Algitha exclaimed.
human
But one thing is certain, you ought to look after your body, for the present at any rate.