“A good game of base-ball would cure that, eh, Gilbert?”
“I protest,” exclaimed Elsie, “against any more nonsense this evening. On our first grand opening to be found on such a lamentably low plane is belittling to our great aims. There has not been a word said yet about the crying need of our country, the deplorable condition of labor, the injustice of our government, etc., etc. Will not our serene presidentess inform her breathless audience how we are to strike at the roots of these evils at once?”
“Chiefly by attending to our own business. In the breast of each individual lies the power of bettering himself, and as we better ourselves intellectually and morally, as well as materially, by so much we better the world.”
“It sounds easy,” said Elsie dubiously.
“It is easy,” said Margaret firmly. “Grind out of our hearts the selfish love of ease that creates the unholy desire to build up ourselves by pulling others down, and bravely resolve to shirk no plain duty, and the battle is half-won. Now let us turn to the real business of the evening. I have laid out a line of history work for the first half-hour; for the second, belles-lettres and poetry; for the third, discussion; and for the last, music.”
“From Antoine’s violin?”
“Yes, and from an organ to accompany him.”
“Has the organ materialized?” asked Elsie, gazing incredulously around the room.
“It shall to-morrow. We can obtain one by monthly payments, and only a little plainer living, fewer clothes, and the thing can be managed. I’ll agree to wear calico all the time, even Sundays if need be.”
“And I won’t even think of a ribbon,” exclaimed Elsie, with a mischievous twinkle shining through eyes that were suspiciously misty.