noon
We have an educational system of public schools which for intellectual culture is a just matter of pride to any country . From the time that the girl is seven years old , her first thought , when she rises in the morning , is to eat her breakfast and be off to her school . There really is no more time than enough to allow her to make that complete toilet which every well-bred female ought to make , and to take her morning meal before her school begins . She returns at noon with just time to eat her dinner , and the afternoon session begins . She comes home at night with books , slate , and lessons enough to occupy her evening . What time is there for teaching her any household work , for teaching her to cut or fit or sew , or to inspire her with any taste for domestic duties ? Her arms have no exercise ; her chest and lungs , and all the complex system of muscles which are to be perfected by quick and active movement , are compressed while she bends over book and slate and drawing-board ; while the ever active brain is kept all the while going at the top of its speed .