今天終於有空開始認真看 Donna Woolfolk Cross 的 Pope Joan. 已經買了兩年的歷史小說，據說都已經出了中譯本了。（因為在駝鳥二號舊家附近的某校改轉學考考卷，只好趁空檔做點別的事，免得腦子燒壞。）

小說中有一段應該和眾姊妹分享：

Pope Joan小時侯推薦入學 （Schola），老師不願意破格收女生，應眾人要求出題即席考小瓊安，要她證明女人天生劣於男人，小瓊安大聲問了”Why?” Odo 反唇相譏：

“Your ignorance, child, is revealed in that question. For St. Paul himself has asserted this truth, that women are beneath men in conception, in place, and in will.”
“In conception, in place, and in will?” Joan repeated.
“Yes.” Odo spoke slowly and distinctly, as if addressing a half-wit. “In conception, because Adam was created first, and Eve afterward; in place, because Eve was created to serve Adam as companion and mate; in will, because Eve could not resist the Devil’s temptation and ate of the apple.” …
Odo smirked. Joan felt an intense dislike for this man. For a moment she stood silently, tugging on her nose.
“Why,” she said at last, “is woman inferior in conception? For though she was created second, she was made from Adam’s side, while Adam was made from common clay.”…
“In place”—the words tumbled out as Joan’s thoughts raced ahead and she reasoned her way through—“woman should be preferred to man, because Eve was created inside Paradise, but Adam was created outside.”…
“As for will, woman should be considered superior to man”—this was bold, but there was no going back now—“for Eve ate of the apple for love of knowledge and learning, but Adam ate of it merely because she asked him.”

這一頁應該印下來另外教！哈哈哈！