Miss Gibbie Gault

er her chin, "but I might not be if I had to talk to you after a full meal. And that's the trouble-you make me ta

d, the plump cheeks kissed. "And if I didn't have dinner at two o'clock I couldn't have supper at seven. Thin ham and beaten biscuits and salads and iced tea and summ

financial condition and the things it needs and should have. You will be served at breakfast, dinner, and supper; held up as an example of the pernicious effects of higher education followed by foreign trave

e going to cros

ey would rather stay in and look on than come out and help. Don't expect too much of them. They have so long thought as men told them God intended them to think that it will take time for them to re

on the right, the dining-room on the left, at the broad, winding staircase in front, and through the open door at the end to t

heart, when, as a child, she had lived in the Yorkburg

d to get it," she said, nodding her

arms and finger-tips pressed to cheeks, surveyed critically the size

nt to risk a trial yet. The reason most homes need men is because men mean money, I suppose. You can't sneeze without needing money. And yet"-she looked around-"everything in this house didn't cost as much as the rug Mrs. Maxwell has on her drawing-room floor. I don't wonder John loath

"Where did you put the

. "There no letters w

. Not on

rose that was falling out of a jar and stood off to watch the effect. "Nobody but John would write every week, when I don't write once in four-don't even read his letters for days after they come, sometimes. But I like to know they're

ouncil, which meeting was always held on the second Monday evening in th

late before I get there. Don't forget!" And again the hand was waved; and as she drove down the dusty road, Ephrai

to discourage me. When you're dealing with human nature it's the unexpected you must expect. 'Human nature are a rascal,' Mrs. McDougal says, and Mrs.

It isn't nice. I am afraid I forget so

this worl' ain't, and there's a lot of pesky people in it." He coughed again. "Sometimes folks seem to forgit you is your grandpa's grandchild. Yo' grandpa was the high-steppinist gentleman I ever seen in my life, but since you been goin

t he must or must not do. But his people in England would be more shocked than-" She stopped and her

. As they reached the top the hum of many voices greeted them. The narrow passageway was half filled with men. Some were standing, hands in pockets; some, balancing themselves on the railing, with feet twisted around its s

hose leaning against the wall straightened, and those in

ice meeting, aren't we?" She held out her hand. "Ho

etter to-night. He's pleased as Punch over those

ed, taking off her long, light coat which cove

lls, who spoke. "There ain't much room in there left and they say some more ladies i

ught not to take the me

ome here. Ain't a man in the council what don't know how we stand, and what we won't do for

and Mrs. Dunn, while behind was Miss Amelia Taylor, president of the Mother's Club, with Miss Victor Redway, the new kindergarten teacher from Kentucky. A dozen other women, scattered in groups here and there, were whispering as if at a home funeral, and along the walls men, ranged in rows, hats in hands, chewed with some

ew-fashioned ways of doing things. I feel like I haven't got on all my clothes. I came because you told

like Yorkburg's not having a high school. Don't look so uneasy. Nobody is going to bite. Have you seen Mr. Milligan? A f

sed closer to the door. All who could came inside, but no longer was there standing- room, and the air that might hav

nded. "The meeting

the crowded room, and in his voice as he repeated "The meeting will come to order!" was the assur

up and began to call the roll there was the shuffle of many feet in the hall

every blessed mem

e platform, undismayed by the gazing, smiling crowd. Behind were her five boys and four girls, and behind

he edge of the platform, at the feet of Mr. Chinn, all but Susie, who with flaming face

y know what they're here for and I don't want 'em to miss a word. Sit still there, Jeff!" She jabbed the latter, who was wriggling, back in h

ou can

ng in quick staccato sentences, and as he took his seat Mr. Chinn again sound

ation, Mr. Mowry cut off a large piece of tobacco, crossed his hands behind his head, and lifted his right leg on the top of the small oak desk which was supposed to contain pen and paper for personal use, but which had t

nd Mr. Milligan arose. With fingers in the armholes of his vest, with shoulders back and chest expanded, he bowed with smiling eyes to the pla

noble town, but to look with far-seeing eyes into that great future which stretches endlessly and forever on, and which can be made as beautiful as-er, as-er the New Jerusalem or-er, or-er Richmond or New York. We must show the watching world that we citizens of old Yorkburg"-his right hand made a wide inclusive sweep-"we citizens are awake, are up and looking around. We are no longer dead poor. Money is nine-tenth

mping of feet, and in the enforced pause Mr. Milligan wiped his shin

k. There was a heap to make her forget, but she didn't forget. Love found the way, and she's back. Since she left she's seen a lot of life. She's been around the world, in the big cities and the little cities, and she's kept her eyes open and her mind open and her heart open, and there's much she could tell about what's wrong with us, but that ain't her way. She is here to-night to bring some matters to your attention which I

ame down heavily. He turned in his chair and loo

is highly honored by the presence here to-night of lovely woman! What would life be without her? As babies, she borns us; as boys, she bosses us; as men, she owns us; at death, she buries us, and she alone puts flowers on man's grave! Man was made to do her bidding