ery girl has the germ of self-expression in
her somewhere, and if it is starved and choked by conventionalities and
parental bonds, she is bound to find an outlet for her energy in some
unprofitable way. If folks would only SEE that girls, to-day, are
capable of accomplishing what the _boys_ of to-day are doing, and then
give us a chance, there won't be so many slatterns and silly women-folk
in the future.

"I learned all I could get out of Bear Forks' school-books, but it
wasn't half enough for me. Now I am going to go to High, or leave home
to work somewhere. I will not stay here to eat my heart out over the
outside world and what it is doing. I may be awfully disappointed when I
get acquainted with folks, outside, but at least I want the opportunity
NOW, just as my brother John has it.

"Mother and father took it as a matter of course, that their boy must go
to college and carve a career for himself. But their girl ought never to
dream of such foibles--she must remain at home and learn to sew and cook
and do all the household chores! If any sort of a decent rancher comes
along who wants to marry, then I must thank him and tie myself down to
take care of his socks and buttons, and rear a fine family!

"No, _no_, NO! I tell you I just won't _do it_!" Polly fairly screamed
out the last words and stamped her foot vehemently, as she stood
declaring what she thought of such a life.

Mrs. Brewster hid her face in a handkerchief--whether she was weeping or
trying to hide her gratification at hearing her daughter assert her
rights in such a positive manner, no one knew.

"W-h-y--Polly Brewster! You are positively unladylike in your manner of
speaking of marriage and a future husband!" objected Barbara, shocked.

Polly turned on her, as the proverbial worm turned:

"Pooh! What do _you_ know about real life! You--a silly selfish moth!
All you can think of is money, clothes, beaus!

"You can't see a spider without fainting, and you mince about the moment
you hear John or Tom are near. You're not a woman of _to-day_! You're a
manufactured specimen of the past generation. Thank goodness, such as
_you_ are on the wane; and even modern men who are looking for
mates--not helpless weights upon their backs--select them from the
business world where girls are climbing to the top of the ladder as fast
as conditions will permit them to.

"Don't _you_ sit there with your powdered face and crimped-up hair and
tell me I am unladyli