I 'll sit here and listen . Please go on . ' And Bess took her place above them all as cool and calm as a little statue of Justice , with fan and nosegay in place of sword and scales . ` Now , ladies , free your minds , only spare us till morning ; for we 've got a german to dance as soon as everyone is fed , and Parnassus expects every man to do his duty . Mrs President Giddy-gaddy has the floor , ' said Demi , who liked this sort of fun better than the very mild sort of flirtation which was allowed at Plumfield , for the simple reason that it could not be entirely banished , and is a part of all education , co - or otherwise . ' I have only one thing to say , and it is this , ' began Nan soberly , though her eyes sparkled with a mixture of fun and earnestness . ' I want to ask every boy of you what you really think on this subject . Dan and Emil have seen the world and ought to know their own minds . Tom and Nat have had five examples before them for years . Demi is ours and we are proud of him . So is Rob . Ted is a weathercock , and Dolly and George , of course , are fogies in spite of the Annex , and girls at Girton going ahead of the men . Commodore , are you ready for the question ? ' ` Ay , ay , skipper . ' ` Do you believe in Woman 's Suffrage ? ' ` Bless your pretty figger head ! I do , and I 'll ship a crew of girls any time you say so . Are n't they worse than a press-gang to carry a fellow out of his moorings ? Do n't we all need one as pilot to steer us safe to port ? and why should n't they share our mess afloat and ashore since we are sure to be wrecked without 'em ? '
` Good for you , XXXXX !
Bess Dan Demi Emil George Justice Nat Rob Tom moorings