Quote by Tennessee (Thomas Lanier) Willia
You've got many refinements. I don't think you need to worry about your failure at long division. I mean, after all, you got through short division, and short division is all that a lady ought to be called on to cope with.
Summary
This quote suggests that the speaker believes an individual, identified as a lady, should not feel concerned or discouraged by their inability to excel at long division. The speaker implies that the person has demonstrated their competence in short division, indicating that they possess adequate mathematical skills. The remark can be seen as stemming from societal expectations and stereotypes about gender roles and abilities. However, the irony lies in the dismissive attitude towards long division despite its fundamental importance in mathematics.