right. In the eye of the law we are literally nobodies in
our country. Did you know that women are forbidden to go to political
meetings here?" "Really?" Out came the note-book.

"The law expressly forbids the attendance at such meetings of women,
children, and idiots."

"Children and idiots--I understand that," said Minora; "but women--and
classed with children and idiots?"

"Classed with children and idiots," repeated Irais, gravely nodding her
head. "Did you know that the law forbids females of any age to ride on
the top of omnibuses or tramcars?"

"Not really?"

"Do you know why?"

"I can't imagine."

"Because in going up and down the stairs those inside might perhaps
catch a glimpse of the stocking covering their ankles."

"But what--"

"Did you know that the morals of the German public are in such a shaky
condition that a glimpse of that sort would be fatal to them?"

"But I don't see how a stocking--"

"With stripes round it," said Irais.

"And darns in it," I added, "--could possibly be pernicious?"

"'The Pernicious Stocking; or, Thoughts on the Ethics of Petticoats,'"
said Irais. "Put that down as the name of your next book on Germany."

"I never know," complained Minora, letting her note-book fall, "whether
you are in earnest or not."

"Don't you?" said Irais sweetly.

"Is it true," appealed Minora to the Man of Wrath, busy with his lemons
in the background, "that your law classes women with children and
idiots?"

"Certainly," he answered promptly, "and a very proper classification,
too."

We all looked blank. "That's rude," said I at last.

"Truth is always rude, my dear," he replied complacently. Then he added,
"If I were commissioned to draw up a new legal code, and had previously
enjoyed the privilege, as I have been doing lately, of listening to the
conversation of you three young ladies, I should make precisely the same
classification."

Even Minora was incensed at this.

"You are telling us in the most unvarnished manner that we are idiots,"
said Irais.

"Idiots? No, no, by no means. But children,--nice little agreeable
children. I very much like to hear you talk together. It is all so young
and fresh what you think and what you believe, and not of the least
consequence to any one.

"Not of the least consequence?" cried Minora. "What we believe is of
very great consequence indeed to us."

"Are you jeering at our beliefs?" inquired Irais sternly.

"Not for worlds. I w