vided she had to be. But because it was creditable and
sensible in Miss Jacket to make the most of herself in that particular
way, you surely would not advocate that the daughters of the Princess
of Wales and the Empress of Germany should do the same."

"I should certainly advocate their doing something useful," I said in
my dogged fashion. "Besides, Winona is the daughter neither of the
Princess of Wales nor the Empress of Germany."

"No, she is not," said Josephine, in a tone which seemed to imply that
she was grateful for the escape. After all, who of us to-day would
give a rush to be a king or queen? What successful business or
professional man would exchange the exquisite comfort of the domestic
hearth and all the magazines for the prerogatives of royalty? I
understand perfectly what Josephine wished to express, and agreed with
her on the point. Her daughters, save for a little pomp and
circumstance, were practically the peers of any and all princesses.

"Just consider, for a moment, Winona and Miss Jacket side by side,"
Josephine continued. "Don't you see any difference between them?"

"Well, of course, Winona is an unusually handsome girl," I murmured.
"Besides, she is younger."

"Younger!" groaned Josephine, evidently believing me hopeless. "Do you
really, seriously think, Fred, that they are to be mentioned in the
same breath as ladies?"

I rather think I looked foolish and twiddled my fingers.

"If," said Josephine, with an emphasis on the conjunction, and
repeating it still more emphatically, "if it were necessary I would not
say a word. If Winona were one of seven girls, I should be sorry, but
I would not say a word. If it had been Josie, I should have been
rather pleased--which shows, Fred, that I am not altogether hostile to
the spirit of the age. But I am not prepared as yet to see my only
really handsome daughter--and such a handsome one, Fred--fly in the
face of convention and custom merely--merely to please Miss Jacket and
the people who never have a chance to go anywhere."

All Josephine's combativeness and pride of opinion seemed to ooze
suddenly away, and she buried her face on my shoulder, murmuring--

"Oh, yes, the whole system of society for girls is ridiculous and
degenerating. I know it, I know it perfectly well. I don't approve of
it, I never have approved of it. I wonder that so many come out of it
as well as they do. And they are not content as in my day to be merely