Mrs.St.John had it, and as it was generally displayed for the benefit of gentlemen, who seem as a rule to be very susceptible to flattery, I suppose it is more a kind of drawing-room "pretty talk" than the expression of deliberate opinions.
It consists of contrasting girls with boys and women with men, to the disparagement of the former, especially in matters over which circumstances and natural disposition are commonly supposed to give them some advantage.
I remember hearing a fat, good-natured girl at one of Aunt Theresa's garden-parties say, with all the impressiveness of full conviction, "Girls are far more cruel than boys, really.

You know, women are _much_ more cruel than men--oh, I'm _sure_ they are!" and the idea filled me not less with amazement than with horror.

This very young lady had been most good-natured to us.

She had the reputation of being an unselfish and much-beloved elder sister.

I do not think she would have hurt a fly.
Why she said this I cannot imagine, unless it was to please the young gentleman she was talking to.