"Any other suggestions?" asked the president, as no one spoke for a moment.
The chairman of the lookout committee rose slowly. He was one of the oldest members of the society and a good worker, but talking was hard work for him.
"Several members of our committee think the cooking-classes in Freetown are going to be very necessary. Referred to the other members of the committee; the rest of them are girls."
He sat down amid applause. There were cries for one or two of the other members of the committee.
"It's true!" said a tall, energetic-looking girl, as she rose and spoke very decidedly. "It makes a great difference with the morals of people what they eat. And some of us girls think the best thing we could do to help in the social settlement will be to volunteer our services as cooks in the housekeeping department, and teach the colored girls over there the best ways, and help fit them for service. You needn't laugh, because some of us can cook. Our mothers have taught us how. And we are ready to do our share."
She sat down amid a generous clapping of hands, and in the midst of it Mr. Douglass walked in.
"I think we are ready to hear from the pastor now," said the president, as Mr. Douglass sat down near him.
"No; go on, and let me know what you have been doing," said the minister. He looked tired, but his face brightened as he looked over the room and saw the faces of the young people. There was inspiration in the life there.
The president gave an outline of the work suggested by the committees. "It is only a beginning of what we can do, I'm sure," the president said in conclusion; "but we want to be of use, and we are ready to learn."