The older women, too, mind it but little, unless it is
very cold or the wind is blowing. They no more mind
being wet than they do that the wind should blow or
the sun shine, and as for any ill effect that either
children or grown-ups suffer from the wet, I have yet
to see it. Why? The reasons are clear. In the
first place, they have no fear of the rain. It is not con-
stantly instilled into their minds from childhood that
"they mustn't get wet, or they'll take cold," and girls
are not taught to expect functional disarrangement
if they "get their feet wet." This has something to do
with it, for the effect of the mind upon the body is far
more potent than we yet know.
In the second place, they move about with natural
activity in the rain as at other times. This keeps the
blood circulating and prevents any lowering of the
temperature of the body.
In the third place, their general out-of-door life
gives them such a robustness that if there is any tax
upon the system it is fully ready to meet it.
