He having indulged in levity concerning it, was in disgrace in that respect. The ladies eyed him doubtfully, and questioningly.
"But I mean it. No cavil. Who do you think called me up at the law class to-day? Got the first private telephone line in town, just put in, lively old girl! Aunt Jinnie Hines Cumming, ætat. eighty-three! She was vigorously and impatiently saying, 'Hurrah,' 'hurrah,' instead of 'Hello,' when I got to the receiver, having forgotten the cabalistic word, but that's small detail. She promptly went on to tell me over the telephone that she's always considered women such fools—her words, not mine, ladies—she'd like to see 'em started toward some sort of mitigation of their condition before she died—that she'd been getting all sorts of data through the mail of late about women—that of course, she knew it came from Juanita Bruce and Harriet Higginson. But nevertheless it had given her an idea, and would I come round there?"
From Maud, "Of all people, even more than Mrs. Higginson, the right one!"
From Juliette, "Do you suppose she really means to do it?"
From Selina, "Does she know how unfortunately Aunt Juanita and Mrs. Higginson were called away? We've got the lists of names and all the data. Oh, go on and tell us, did you go?"
From Adele, "If anybody can put it through, Mrs. Cumming can!"
Mr. Cannon rubbed his hands and eyed his audience delightsomely. "My Aunt Jinnie Cumming, ætat. eighty-three, sent for me in my legal status, to tell her how to go about it! She proposes to organize!"