"Not if Miss Bright has sufficient help. If she will organize the work, we can surely assist her."
For a time, it seemed as though a club for girls was doomed. Then Mrs. Clayton came to Esther's rescue.
"Miss Bright is already in touch with the girls, and knows something of their great need."
"But they're such a tough lot," rejoined Lord Kelwin.
"Then they need her influence all the more. She can help them if anyone in the world can." Again Mrs. Clayton had helped her out. The hectic flush deepened. Esther's eyes grew brilliant. Her voice, when she spoke, was low, calm, sweet, but vibrating with an earnestness the group about her had occasionally heard in her voice before. She spoke with decision:
"I shall help the girls!"
"That settles it!" responded Kenneth, half in admiration, half in disgust. He could not understand what it was that could make a girl of her fine and sensitive nature, a girl of her beauty and culture and great attainments, not only willing, but eager, to help a group of coarse, uncouth men and women, of doubtful reputation, and who, to his mind, were utterly incapable of appreciating her.
John Clayton spoke again.
"Won't you join us, Lord Kelwin?"