....

All the lessons were given in English .... It was not long before I could speak a little English. I was dressed and my hair was arranged now in European fashion .... With my English clothes. a hat which was the first I had ever had on my head, the skirts which I now wore instead of trousers, I felt very much 'in the role' ... I learned how to drink tea as the English take it, with sugar and milk; how to eat bread and butter and toast; how to use a knife and fork instead of chop-sticks, and how to take exercise. [emphasis added]57

The missionaries met the strongest resistance from exponents of that fundamental element of Chinese culture - the custom of footbinding. Few Chinese girls could go to school with their bound feet and few could take part in the schools' physical exercises and activities. Chinese women suffered not only mentally but physically. The missionaries, therefore, were obliged to concern themselves with both aspects of this suffering.