human
Botany, in the hands of Miss McDonald, cannot be called very feminine; it is a good deal more difficult to understand and master than law.
gpt
Maybe that's the reason, said Mrs. Mavick,
human
Law? cried Evelyn;
gpt
Certainly. Don't you think that a bright, clever woman, especially if she were pretty, would have an advantage with judge and jury?
human
Not if judge and jury were women,
gpt
And you remember Portia?
human
Portia, said Evelyn;
gpt
Yes, Miss McDonald replied,
human
Why, said Philip, hesitating,
gpt
Are there any women in your firm, Mr. Burnett?
human
Not yet, but I think there are plenty of lawyers who would be willing to take Portia for a partner.
gpt
Make her what you call a consulting partner. That is just the way with you men--as soon as you see women succeeding in doing anything independently, you head them off by matrimony.
human
Not against their wills,
gpt
Oh, the poor things are easily hypnotized. And I'm glad they are. The funniest thing is to hear the Woman's Rights women talk of it as a state of subjection,
human
Rights, what's that?
gpt
Well, child, your education has been neglected. Thank McDonald for that.
human
Don't you know, Evelyn, the governess explained,
gpt
Oh, that, of course; I thought everybody said that. That is natural. But I mean all this fuss. I guess I don't understand what you all are talking about.
human
Why, poor thing, said her mother,
gpt
But, mamma, and the girl seemed to be turning the thing over in her mind, as was her wont with any new proposition,
human
It is not so now. I tell you we are all in a wretched condition.
gpt
You look it, mamma,
human
But I think I don't care so much for the lawyers, Mrs. Mavick continued, with more air of conviction;