essential.

And in the athletic classes!

"Why, I thought these Western cowgirls were just like boys--that
they were even born with an ability to pitch a ball underhand, for
instance, which we girls are not," sighed Laura. "And look at that
thing! She doesn't know how to do anything right."

"Oh, not as bad as that," said Nan, smiling.

"Stop trying to make excuses for her, Nan Sherwood," commanded the
red-haired girl sharply. "I won't have it. She never saw a
basketball game before. She can scarcely lift herself waist-high on
the parallel bars. Couldn't chin herself five times in succession
on the trapeze to save her life. Why! she might as well be her own
grandmother, she knows so little about athletics."

"Huh!" added Bess Harley with equal disgust, "I heard her tell Mrs.
Gleason she thought such things were only for boys. She's a regular
sissy!" But this made her hearers laugh.

Nan joined in the laughter, but she added:

"You get into a wrestling match with her and see if she's a sissy.
She has developed her muscles by other means than gymnasium tricks.
She is so very wiry and strong--you have no idea!"

"But she walks so funny," remarked Lillie Nevins.