That 's why they go in so easily if you lace tight and squeeze the lungs and heart in the let me see , what was that big word oh , I know thoracic cavity , '' and Rose beamed with pride as she aired her little bit of knowledge . `` Do you think that is a good sort of thing for her to be poking over ? She is a nervous child , and I 'm afraid it will be bad for her , '' said Aunt Myra , watching Rose as she counted vertebrae , and waggled a hip-joint in its socket with an inquiring expression . `` An excellent study , for she enjoys it , and I mean to teach her how to manage her nerves so that they wo n't be a curse to her , as many a woman 's become through ignorance or want of thought . To make a mystery or terror of these things is a mistake , and I mean Rose shall understand and respect her body so well that she wo n't dare to trifle with it as most women do . '' `` And she really likes it ? '' `` Very much , auntie ! It 's all so wonderful , and so nicely planned , you can hardly believe what you see . Just think , there are 600,000,000 air cells in one pair of lungs , and 2,000 pores to a square inch of surface ; so you see what quantities of air we must have , and what care we should take of our skin so all the little doors will open and shut right . And brains , auntie , you 've no idea how curious they are ; I have n't got to them yet , but I long to , and uncle is going to show me a manikin that you can take to pieces . Just think how nice it will be to see all the organs in their places ; I only wish they could be made to work as ours do . '' It was funny to see Aunt Myra 's face as Rose stood before her talking rapidly with one hand laid in the friendliest manner on the skeleton 's shoulder . Every word both the Doctor and Rose uttered hit the good lady in her weakest spot , and as she looked and listened a long array of bottles and pill-boxes rose up before her , reproaching her with the `` ignorance and want of thought '' that made her what she was , a nervous , dyspeptic , unhappy old woman . `` Well , I do n't know but you may be right , Alec , only I would n't carry it too far . Women do n't need much of this sort of knowledge , and are not fit for it . I could n't bear to touch that ugly thing , and it gives me the creeps to hear about ` organs , ' '' said Aunt Myra , with a sigh and her hand on her side . `` Would n't it be a comfort to know that your liver was on the right side , auntie , and not on the left ! '' asked Rose with a naughty laugh in her eyes , for she had lately learnt that Aunt Myra 's liver complaint was not in the proper place . `` It 's a dying world , child , and it do n't much matter where the pain is , for sooner or later we all drop off and are seen no more , '' was Aunt Myra 's cheerful reply . `` Well , I intend to know what kills me if I can , and meantime , I 'm going to enjoy myself in spite of a dying world .
I wish you 'd do so too , and come and study with uncle , it would do you good , I 'm sure , '' and Rose went back to counting vertebrae with such a happy face , that Aunt XXXXX had not the heart to say a word to dampen her ardour .
Alec Doctor Myra Rose hip-joint idea left pill-boxes right sigh