WOMAN’S PLUCK

New Zealand Mail, 29 January 1902, Page 20

WOMAN’S PLUCK

In a paper recently set in a woman’s journal, Avith prizes offered for the best ans Avers to a number of questions, the folloAving are rather amusing:—“State the pluckiest act you have ever heard of a woman committing?” Among the various ans Avers Avere: — “Appearing Avithout her teeth in a room full of people to tell one of their number that her child Avas ill.”

“Smiling graciously at a man and saying it was of no consequence when lie upset soup over her new dress.” .

“Staying in a house in the country quite alone day and night.” “Wearing the same dress all through a season.”

“Wearing shoes, corsets, belts, and gloA-es one size too small throughout her life.”

These all treat the question someAvhat flippantly, but there are tragedies hinted at also.

“Smiling all through an evening when another girl is dancing Avith the man you Avant to dance Avith.”

“Being pleasant Avhen the man you like is flirting Avith another girl.” Strangely enough, in the hundreds of ans Avers given, little account is paid to "hat is understood as real heroism, and on examining the matter one finds thatthe Grace Darlings and Florence Nightingales, though admired Avarmly by their OAvn sex, are not considered brave in a feminine sense.

Women evidently believe that Avhere there is a pedestal for a heroine, and a meed of praise from the Avorld, the compensations for sacrifice exceed the sacrifice itself, and they admire most in their OAvn sex, the Spartan hero avlio, Avith something to hide. Avears a pleasant smile, and they desire to emulate this feat Avhen necessary, and not let anyone knoAv Avhere the shoe pinches, practically and metaphorically.