suppose
there are certain limits in all countries to the freedom a woman allows
herself, that is to say, if she is wise. For she knows that she cannot
always trust herself; she knows that she is weak sometimes, and she
protects herself accordingly. She is timid, with a delightful timidity
that fears, because it half understands; she is brave, with the bravery
of a girl who knows that as long as she keeps within certain limits she
is safe. Do not suppose that they ever do, or ever can, allow themselves
that freedom of action that men have; it is an impossibility. Girls are
very carefully looked after by their mothers, and wives by their
husbands; and they delight in observing the limits which experience has
indicated to them. There is a funny story which will illustrate what I
mean. A great friend of mine, an officer in Government service, went
home not very long ago and married, and came out again to Burma with his
wife. They settled down in a little up-country station. His duties were
such as obliged him to go very frequently on tour far away from his
home, and he would be absent ten days at a time or more. So when it came
for the first time that he was obliged to go out and leave his wife
behind him alone in the house, he gave his head-servant very careful
directions. This servant was a Burman who had been with him for many
years, who knew all his ways, and who was a very good servant. He did
not speak English; and my friend gave him strict orders.

'The mistress,' he said, 'has only just come here to Burma, and she
does not know the ways of the country, nor what to do. So you must see
that no harm comes to her in any way while I am in the jungle.'

Then he gave directions as to what was to be done in any eventuality,
and he went out.

He was away for about a fortnight, and when he returned he found all
well. The house had not caught fire, nor had thieves stolen anything,
nor had there been any difficulty at all. The servant had looked after
the other servants well, and my friend was well pleased. But his wife
complained.

'It has been very dull,' she said, 'while you were away. No one came to
see me; of all the officers here, not one ever called. I saw only two or
three ladies, but not a man at all.'

And my friend, surprised, asked his servant how it was.

'Didn't anyone come to call?' he asked.

'Oh yes,' the servant answered; 'many gentlemen came to call--the
officers of the regiment and others. But I tol