`` How can you ask when that long box looks so like a coffin I thought it was one , and that dreadful thing stared me in the face as I opened the door , '' answered Mrs. Myra , pointing to the skeleton that hung from the chandelier cheerfully grinning at all beholders . `` This is a medical college where women are freely admitted , so walk in , madam , and join the class if you 'll do me the honour , '' said the Doctor , waving her forward with his politest bow . `` Do , auntie , it 's perfectly splendid , '' cried Rose 's voice , and Rose 's blooming face was seen behind the ribs of the skeleton , smiling and nodding in the gayest possible manner . `` What are you doing , child ? '' demanded Aunt Myra , dropping into a chair and staring about her . `` Oh , I 'm learning bones to-day , and I like it so much . There are twelve ribs , you know , and the two lower ones are called floating ribs , because they are not fastened to the breastbone . 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 XXXXX , Alec , only I would n't carry it too far .
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