As she owned her father’s long, lean physique, her breast development was rudimentary, a fact that had allowed her to ignore this first evidence of maturity. But the arrival of her courses could not be ignored, especially with Elizabeth for a mother. “You can’t romp around anymore, Nell,” said Elizabeth to her, trying to remember all the things Mary had said to her when her courses had begun. “From now on you have to behave like a young lady—no more adventures into the mines and workshops, and no more being chummy with the men. If you have to pick something up off the floor, you keep your legs together and bend at the knees in a way that takes your whole body down. Under no circumstances do you sit with your legs apart or kick them up in the air.” “What on earth are you talking about, Mum?” “Modest behavior, Nell. And don’t look at me like that.” “It sounds like utter rubbish! I have to sit with my legs together? I can’t kick them up in the air?” “Not anymore.
