Page:About people (IA aboutpeople00well).pdf/141

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THE TRANSITIONAL WOMAN.
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ciety, What is she made of? The school-girl answers, So much per cent.; the belle says, So much beauty of head and shoulders poised at such an angle, plus certain inflections of voice and grades of manner to friends and the populace; and the earnest "committee woman" answers, Of executive force, insight, and sensible views. They all know their professions and their wants; some stifle the smile, lest it be unconventionally broad; others repress their enthusiasm, lest it argue a lack of savoir faire; and those who apparently are natural know they are natural. It is all a knowing. They are not, perhaps, unhappy by result of unfavorable comparisons, because dignity compels acceptance of the inevitable; but there is little of happy humility, and a great deal of indignant dignity in thought and manner. Our public schools, our seminaries or colleges, train the pupils to meet an audience! No wonder that the managers of the Children's "Pinafore" found no timidity in its infantile performers.

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