Miss Ley never considered it a duty to dispel the error of her fellow-creatures, and whenever she had a little piece of knowledge, vastly preferred keeping it to herself. “I?” she answered to the doctor’s question. “I make a point of thinking with the majority--it’s the only way to get a reputation for wisdom!” But Miss Ley, after all, was only human. “Which do you think is the predominant partner?” she asked, smiling drily. “The man, as he should be,” gruffly replied the doctor. “Do you think he has more brains?” “Ah, you’re a feminist,” said Dr. Ramsay, with great scorn. “My dear doctor, my gloves are sixes, and perceive my shoes.” She put out for the old gentleman’s inspection a very pointed, high-heeled shoe, displaying at the same time the elaborate open-work of a silk stocking. “Do you intend me to take that as an acknowledgment of the superiority of man?” “Heavens, how argumentative you are!” Miss Ley laughed, for she was getting into her own particular element. “I knew you wished to quarrel with me. Do you really want my opinion?” “Yes.” “Well, it seems to me that if you take the very clever woman and set her beside an ordinary man, you prove nothing. That is how women mostly argue. We place George Eliot (who, by the way, had nothing of the woman but petticoats--and those not always) beside plain John Smith, and ask tragically if such a woman can be considered inferior to such a man. But that’s silly! The question I’ve been asking myself for the last five-and-twenty years is, whether the average fool of a woman is a greater fool than the average fool of a man.” “And the answer?” “Well, upon my word, I don’t think there’s much to choose between them.” “Then you haven’t really an opinion on the subject at all?” cried the doctor. “That is why I give it you.” “Hm!” grunted Dr. Ramsay. “And how does that apply to the Craddocks?” “It doesn’t apply to them.... I don’t think Bertha is a fool.” “She couldn’t be, having had the discretion to be born your niece, eh?” “Why, doctor, you’re growing quite pert.” They had finished the tour of the garden and Mrs. Ramsay was seen in the drawing-room, bidding Bertha good-by. “Now, seriously, Miss Ley,” said the doctor, “they’re quite happy, aren’t they? Every one thinks so.” “Every one is always right,” said Miss Ley. “And what is your opinion?” “Good heavens, what an insistent man it is! Well, Dr. Ramsay, all I would suggest is that--for Bertha, you know, the book of life is written throughout in italics; for Edward it is all in the big round hand of the copybook headings.... Don’t you think it will make the reading of the book somewhat difficult?” Chapter XIII