The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James Read Free Book Online Page B

exceptions to the rule.”
    “My sisters are an exception to every rule,” said Branwell with a chuckle.
    Although Emily rarely spoke when we had visitors, she now said heatedly, “I am at a loss. Why do you gentlemen consider men and women to be so vastly different, that you would assign them a particular breed of dog?”
    “I meant no offence,” answered Mr. Nicholls. “I was only expressing an opinion, based on my own observations of dogs—and women.”
    “Your observations?” retorted Emily. “Yes; Charlotte has shared some of your observations with regard to women, Mr. Nicholls. As I recall, she said that you approve of only two occupations for womankind: cooking and needlework—both of which you claim to be assigned by God himself.”
    Mr. Nicholls seemed taken aback by this declaration. Branwell laughed again; but the other men all grew quite serious, as they busied themselves attacking their roast beef and puddings. For a long moment, the only sounds in the room were those ofvigorous chewing, the tinkling of silverware against the plates, and the chirping of our canary, Little Dick, in his cage by the window. At length, Mr. Nicholls replied, “I only meant, Miss Emily, that women are at their finest when carrying out all those feminine duties which they were born to do, and at which they excel: when managing the home, and as supportive wife, dutiful daughter, and caring mother.”
    “Hear, hear,” said Mr. Grant.
    “A truer word was never spoken,” said papa.
    “You must be joking,” said Emily.
    I felt the sudden heat of indignation rise within my chest. (What brief, misguided notion had compelled me to think that Mr. Nicholls might be worthy of my better opinion?) “Do you mean to imply, sir,” said I, “that women can only excel at these feminine duties, which they were born to do? That, in short, females should never aspire to anything more lofty than baking pies, washing dishes, knitting stockings, playing on the piano, and embroidering bags? Do you seriously believe that anything more is above a woman’s comprehension—that women do not have the same mental capacity to learn as men?”
    “Answer that at your peril!” warned Branwell.
    “I did not say that,” began Mr. Nicholls.
    He was cut off by Mr. Grant, who said: “It is really not a question open for discussion, is it? It is a simple matter of science: of the physiological differences between the sexes. Alexander Walker said it best, I think, when he pointed out that man, possessing reasoning faculties, muscular power, and the courage to employ it, is qualified for being a protector; while the woman, being little capable of reasoning, feeble, and timid, requires protecting. Under such circumstances, the man naturally governs: the woman naturally obeys.” 10
    “Oh! Oh!” exclaimed Emily and Anne together, appalled.
    “I agree that man is naturally the protector,” interjected Mr.Nicholls, “and that a woman’s forte is softness, tenderness, and grace. But the question of men and women that so preoccupies our society to-day, has all been laid out for us quite clearly in the Bible—and nowhere better than the doctrines delivered in the second chapter of St. Paul’s first Epistle to Timothy.”
    “What doctrines are those?” asked Branwell (who, to papa’s regret and mortification, had not cracked open a Bible or attended church in years.)
    “Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection,” quoted Mr. Nicholls. “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man; but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.”
    Emily groaned aloud, and threw her napkin down upon the table. “Sir: where the Bible is concerned, do you allow the right of private judgment for both men and women?”
    “I do,” replied Mr. Nicholls.
    “I disagree,” said Mr. Grant. “Women should take their husband’s opinions, both in politics and religion.”
    “Shame on you, sir, for such a stupid