I was just going to say I hated being a woman, and having these tiresome little trifles--my duty--instead of learning, which is yours, Norman." "I'm glad you did not," said Norman, "for it would have been very silly of you; and I assure you, Ethel, it is really time for you to stop, or you would get into a regular learned lady, and be good for nothing.

I don't mean that knowing more than other people would make you so, but minding nothing else would." This argument from Norman himself did much to reconcile Ethel's mind to the sacrifice she had made; and when she went to bed, she tried to work out the question in her own mind, whether her eagerness for classical learning was a wrong sort of ambition, to know what other girls did not, and whether it was right to crave for more knowledge than was thought advisable for her.

She only bewildered herself, and went to sleep before she had settled anything, but that she knew she must make all give way to papa first, and, secondly, to Cocksmoor.
Meanwhile Margaret had told her father all that had passed.

He was only surprised to hear that Ethel had kept up so long with Norman, and thought that it was quite right that she should not undertake so much, agreeing more entirely than Margaret had expected with Miss Winter's view, that it would be hurtful to body as well as mind.
"It is perfectly ridiculous to think of her attempting it!" he said.

"I am glad you have put a stop to it." "I am glad I have," said Margaret; "and dear Ethel behaved so very well.
If she had resisted, it would have puzzled me very much, I must have asked you to settle it.