opportunity of talking so freely to any British officials, I have spoken with great frankness of what has been in my heart for years, but what I now see can never be changed.
Lord Curzon spoke courteously of my self-imposed mission "to serve my country abroad," but England will never entrust such tasks to women, or even lend them any official sanction.
This, then, is my swan song of the work which I have proved that a woman can do. Before leaving the stage, I may say what I think.
"If you suppose that we are going to let any Tom, Dick or Harry run our Embassies, as they do in America, you are very much mistaken." I was once "officially" informed: "We may be accused of being socially exclusive, but everyone knows to which Embassy they should appeal when anything has to be done."
"That does not touch my complaint," I answered. "I shall continue to resent the fact that we are not allowed the same footing as women in other countries. We have at last secured the vote, and, theoretically, the right of entry to all professions; but, proud as we are of Lady Astor and Mrs. Wintringham, their presence in Parliament has, rather unfortunately, produced an impression of far more 'freedom' and 'equality' than we have actually achieved. Some are indeed safely on the heights, but most women have not yet even planted their feet on the lowest rung of the ladder.
"Everyone knows that the Englishman is chivalrous to women, and is their surest anchor in distress. He will willingly die for them, but he maintains his rooted objection to being asked to help them to live.
"The French Government sent a woman to Angora with the fullest official backing in finance and prestige. Their Ambassador provided a plan for her journey, and has made public acknowledgment of her service to France."
"We do not require women for this work," was the dogmatic reply; which also, of course, ignored the principle involved in such official rigidity.
