It provided for most of its own wants, hence the girl must be taught household arts and science, all of the fine traditional knowledge and skill which made, not drudges, but skilled managers, skilled cooks and needlewomen, skilled hostesses and nurses.

She had a _business_ to learn under the old regime, and there was an authority, often severely enforced no doubt, which made her learn it well.

There was the same appraising of the efficiency of the girl for her business there was of the boy for his.
The girl of to-day rarely has any such systematic training for the material side of her business, nor is a dignified place provided for her in well-to-do families.

Her place is parasitical and demoralizing.
Take the young girl who has been what we call "educated"; that is, one who has gone through college and has not found a talent which she is eager to develop.

The spirit of the times makes her less keen for marriage, puts no feeling of obligation of marriage upon her.