For the first week of the Sian events I was a first aid worker in the streets of Sian.

Like all my family and class, I considered it a sign of weakness to show affection; to have been caught kissing my mother would have been a disgrace, and to have shown affection for my father would have been a disaster.

But I see no reason why a woman should not grow and develop in all those outlets which are suited to her nature, it matters not at all what they may be.

Now, being a girl, I was ashamed of my body and my lack of strength. So I tried to be a man. I shot, rode, jumped, and took part in all the fights of the boys.

I have no objection to a man being a man, however masculine that may be.

But settled things were enemies to me and soon lost their newness and color. The unknown called.

When I was a girl, the West was still young, and the law of force, of physical force, was dominant.