"The plan is simply absurd," said the wife of one of the editors of The Daily News. "It is one of those things that belong to dreams, but have no place in practical life."
"But still, some of the best things in the world come from the people who have visions. Do you remember what Mrs. Garnet said in her last lecture? 'The ideal in life is always preceded by the visionary. Some one must dream before any one will act.' There is a great truth at the heart of that social settlement."
There was a pause for a moment in the room where the discussion was going on. Before it was broken, Mrs. Lewis came to the door.
"Mrs. Lewis, what do you think of it?" asked the editor's wife.
"You are discussing Mr. Douglass's plan for redeeming Freetown? I overheard a part of it. I'll tell you. He has been to see me about it. Shall I tell what he asks us to do?"
"By all means!" exclaimed an excited chorus of voices.
"He wants the United Clubs of Merton to work for an endowment fund, so that the social settlement will become a permanent institution."
There was silence a moment. The women looked expressively at one another.
"That isn't what we are organized to do," finally said one of the ladies.