Changes of fortune come so abruptly that the millionaire's daugh-
ter of to-day may be glad to earn her living by sewing or
sweeping tomorrow.
It is the first duty of every woman to recognize the mutual bond
of universal womanhood. Let her ask herself whether she would
like to hear herself or little sister spoken of as a shop-girl,
or a factory-girl, or a servant-girl, if necessity had compelled
her for a time to be employed in either of the ways indicated.
If she would shrink from it a little, then she is a little
inhuman when she puts her unknown human sisters who are so
occupied into a class by themselves, feeling herself to be
somewhat their superior. She is really the superior person who
has accepted her work and is doing it faithfully, whatever it is.
This designating others by their casual employments prevents one
from making real distinctions, from knowing persons as persons.
A false standard is set up in the minds of those who classify and
of those who are classified.
Perhaps it is chiefly the fault of ladies themselves that the
word "lady" has nearly lost its original meaning (a noble one)
indicating sympathy and service;--bread-giver to those who are in
need.
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