"Madam President," said Mrs. Flint as she arose and smoothed down her dress. (Where she got the "Madam President" idea no one knew, but it pleased the ladies immensely.) "I have read that in Congress they have a committee on ways and means. Will it be necessary for us to have a similar one?"
"Well, I declare!" unceremoniously interrupted the uncontrollable Mrs. Stout. "The idea, and three of us married women with children. I say that when our first baby was born we was each of us appointed a committee on ways and means by the Lord."
The laughter that followed was suddenly terminated upon the second entrance of Tommy Tweedie.
"Ma," he bellowed, "Dora slapped my face and made my nose bleed, and pa laughed at me, and said it served me right."
"My poor, dear, little son!" exclaimed Mrs. Tweedie as she rushed to him. "Tell mother how it happened," she added anxiously as she wiped the blood from the little villain's face. Tommy evaded the question by asking another.
"Can I have some cake now, ma?"
"Certainly you may. Ladies, if you will excuse me for a moment," said Mrs. Tweedie as she and Tommy left the room in quest of revenge and cake.
"Did you ever!" exclaimed Mrs. Stout after the ladies had exchanged knowing glances for a moment.
"I should say so!" piped Mrs. Flint. "I knew that he behaved badly in Sabbath school—"
"Is Mrs. Tweedie's method the wisest?" asked Miss Sawyer.