"If my thoughts—" Will checked himself suddenly and then asked: "Can't we find something else to talk about? I have it, the new woman's club, have you been invited to join?"
"The new woman's club?" said Barbara, feigning surprise. "I had not heard of it."
"You're making fun of me."
"Indeed, it is you who are trying to joke at our expense."
"No, really, Miss Wallace, I meant the woman's club that mother and the rest are getting up. Are you going to join?"
"Yes; do you approve of such things?"
"Really, I—I don't know, and yet I ought to know something about it because father and mother have been debating the question for a week past. Mother is very enthusiastic, but my impression is that father thinks that the club is unnecessary if not really harmful. I shall expect a great boom in Manville society when it gets in running order," Will replied, and then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Tell me, please, I want to laugh, too."
"Manville society! Doesn't it strike you as being funny?"
"Yes, and no."