[Nerves and Common Sense by Annie Payson Call]@TWC D-Link book
Nerves and Common Sense

CHAPTER X
1/11


_Is Physical Culture good for Girls ?_ A NUMBER of women were watching a game of basket-ball played by some high-school girls.

In the interim for rest one woman said to her neighbor: "Do you see that girl flat on her back, looking like a very heavy bag of sand ?" "Yes," the answer was; "what under the sun is she doing that for?
She looks heavy and lazy and logy, while the other girls are talking and laughing and having a good time." "You wait and watch her play," responded the first woman.

And so they waited and watched, and to the astonishment of the friend the girl who had looked "lazy and logy," lying flat on her back during the rest-time, was the most active of the players, and really saved the game.
When the game was finished the woman said to her friend with surprise in her voice: "How did you see through that, and understand what that girl was aiming for ?" The answer was: "Well, I know the girl, and both she and I have read Kipling's 'The Maltese Cat.' Don't you remember how the best polo ponies in that story, when they were off duty, hung their heads and actually made themselves looked fagged, in order to be fresher when the time came to play?
And how 'The Maltese Cat' scouted the silly ponies who held their heads up and kicked and looked alert while they waited?
And don't you remember the result ?" "No, I never read the story, but I have certainly seen your point prove itself to-day.

I shall read it at once.

Meanwhile, I want to speak to that clever girl who could catch a point like that and use it." "Take care, please, that you do not mention it to her at all," said the friend.


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