And above all these was borne upon her, and for the first time in her
life, that she was herself a woman!

For a long time she sat quite still. The train thrilled and roared
on its way. Crowded stations took and gave their quantum of living
freight; but the young girl sat abstracted, unmoved, seemingly
unconscious. All the dominance and energy of her nature were at
work.

If, indeed, she was a woman, and had to abide by the exigencies of
her own sex, she would at least not be ruled and limited by woman's
weakness. She would plan and act and manage things for herself, in
her own way.

Whatever her thoughts might be, she could at least control her acts.
And those acts should be based not on woman's weakness, but on man's
strength!



CHAPTER VII--THE NEED OF KNOWING



When Stephen announced her intention of going with her father to the
Petty Sessions Court, there was consternation amongst the female
population of Normanstand and Norwood. Such a thing had not been
heard of in the experiences of any of them. Courts of Justice were
places for men; and the lower courts dealt with a class of cases . .
. It was quite impossible to imagine where any young lady could get