'But I'm so afraid that, just out of pure nervousness, I'll say the wrong thing.'
'If you do, I'll be there,' returned the chairman, a little grimly.
'But it's the very first time in my life——'
'Now, look here——'
Ernestine reached out past this person who was luxuriating in her own emotions, and drew the ample mauve matron into the official group close to where Miss Levering sat nursing the handbills.
'It's easy enough talking to these little meetings. They're quite good and quiet—not a bit like Hyde Park.' (One of the young men poked the other. They exchanged looks.) 'But there are three things we all agree it's just as well to keep in mind: Not to talk about ourselves'—she measured off the tit-bits of wisdom with a slim forefinger—'not to say anything against the press, and, if possible, remember to praise the police.'
'Praise the police!' ejaculated the mauve matron.
'Sh!' said Ernestine, softly. But not so easily was the tide of indignation stemmed.
'I saw with my own eyes——' began the woman.