"She might--say something, you know, that they might--take advantage of!""Nonsense, my dear!" replied Mrs.Dankshire.She was very fond of Mrs.
Ree, but had small respect for her judgment."What could she say? Look at what she does! And how beautifully--how perfectly--she does it! Iwould wager now--_may_ I try an experiment Mrs.Porne?" and she stood up, taking out her handkerchief.
"Certainly," said Mrs.Porne, "with pleasure! You won't find any!"Mrs.Dankshire climbed heavily upon a carefully selected chair and passed her large clean plain-hemmed handkerchief across the top of a picture.
"I knew it!" she proclaimed proudly from her eminence, and showed the cloth still white."That," she continued in ponderous descent, "that is Knowledge, Ability and Conscience!""I don't see how she gets the time!" breathed Mrs.Ree, shaking her head in awed amazement, and reflecting that she would not dare trust Mrs.
Dankshire's handkerchief on her picture tops.
"We must have her address the Club," the president repeated."It will do worlds of good.Let me see--a paper on--we might say 'On the True Nature of Domestic Industry.' How does that strike you, Mrs.Ree?""Admirable!" said Mrs.Ree."So strong! so succinct.""That certainly covers the subject," said Mrs.Porne."Why don't you ask her?""We will.We have come for that purpose.But we felt it right to ask you about it first," said Mrs.Dankshire.
"Why I have no control over Miss Bell's movements, outside of working hours," answered Mrs.Porne."And I don't see that it would make any difference to our relations.She is a very self-poised young woman, but extremely easy to get along with.And I'm sure she could write a splendid paper.You'd better ask her, I think.""Would you call her in?" asked Mrs.Dankshire, "or shall we go out to the kitchen?""Come right out; I'd like you to see how beautifully she keeps everything."The kitchen was as clean as the parlor; and as prettily arranged.Miss Bell was ****** her preparation for lunch, and stopped to receive the visitors with a serenely civil air--as of a country store-keeper.
"I am very glad to meet you, Miss Bell, very glad indeed," said Mrs.
Dankshire, shaking hands with her warmly."We have at heard so much of your beautiful work here, and we admire your attitude! Now would you be willing to give a paper--or a talk--to our club, the Home and Culture Club, some Wednesday, on The True Nature of Domestic Industry?"Mrs.Ree took Miss Bell's hand with something of the air of a Boston maiden accosting a saint from Hindoostan."If you only would!" she said."I am sure it would shed light on this great subject!"Miss Bell smiled at them both and looked at Mrs.Porne inquiringly.
"I should be delighted to have you do it," said her employer."I know it would be very useful.""Is there any date set?" asked Miss Bell.
"Any Wednesday after February," said Mrs.Dankshire.
"Well--I will come on the first Wednesday in April.If anything should happen to prevent I will let you know in good season, and if you should wish to postpone or alter the program--should think better of the idea--just send me word.I shall not mind in the least."They went away quite jubilant, Miss Bell's acceptance was announced officially at the next club-meeting, and the Home and Culture Club felt that it was fulfilling its mission.
