Nat will be twice the man when he comes back after his trip . I wish Tom was going with him . My idea is that if we girls have any influence we should use it for the good of these boys , and not pamper them up , making slaves of ourselves and tyrants of them . Let them prove what they can do and be before they ask anything of us , and give us a chance to do the same . Then we know where we are , and shall not make mistakes to mourn over all our lives . ' ` Hear , hear ! ' cried Alice Heath , who was a girl after Nan 's own heart , and had chosen a career , like a brave and sensible young woman . ` Only give us a chance , and have patience till we can do our best . Now we are expected to be as wise as men who have had generations of all the help there is , and we scarcely anything . Let us have equal opportunities , and in a few generations we will see what the judgement is . I like justice , and we get very little of it . ' ` Still shouting the battle-cry of freedom ? ' asked Demi , peering through the banisters at this moment . ` Up with your flag ! I 'll stand by and lend a hand if you want it . With you and Nan to lead the van , I think you wo n't need much help . ' ` You are a great comfort , Demi , and I 'll call on you in all emergencies ; for you are an honest boy , and do n't forget that you owe much to your mother and your sisters and your aunts , ' continued Nan . ' I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods . How can we think them so when such awful mistakes are being made all the time by these great creatures ? See them sick , as I do , then you know them . '
` Do n't hit us when we are down ; be merciful , and set us up to bless and believe in you evermore , ' pleaded XXXXX from behind the bars .
Demi Heath Nan Nat Tom girl heart help influence patience