Page:The railway children (IA railwaychildren00nesb 1).pdf/290

 "Now for a rowing," thought Peter, who had been wondering how it was that he had escaped one.

"Something scientific," added the Doctor.

"Yes," said Peter, fiddling with the fossil ammonite that the Doctor used for a paper-weight.

"Well," said the Doctor, "you know men have to do the work of the world and not be afraid of anything—so they have to be hardy and brave. But women have to take care of their babies and cuddle them and nurse them and be very patient and gentle."

"Yes," said Peter, wondering what was coming next.

"Well, then, you see. Boys and girls are only little men and women. And we are much harder and hardier than they are—" (Peter liked the "we." Perhaps the Doctor had known he would.)—"and much stronger, and things that hurt them don't hurt us. You know you mustn't hit a girl—"

"I should think not, indeed," muttered Peter, indignantly.

"Not even if she's your own sister. That's because girls are so much softer and weaker than we are; they have to be, you know," he added, "because if they weren't, it wouldn't be nice for