A few days later Spencer & Son's advertisement appeared for the first time outside of New Bethel, and soon a steady stream of applications began to come in.
Although Mary didn't know it, her appeal had a stirring note like the peal of a silver trumpet. It gripped attention and warmed imagination all the way from its first line "A CALL TO WOMEN" to its signature, "Josiah Spencer & Son, Inc. Mary Spencer, President."
"That's the best yet," said Archey, looking at the pile of applications on the third day. "I sha'n't worry about the future half as much now."
"I don't worry at all any more," said Mary, serene in her faith. "Or at least I don't worry about this," she added to herself.
She was thinking of Helen again.
The night before Helen had come in late, and Mary soon knew that she had been with Burdon. Helen was quiet—for her—and rather pale as well.
"Did you have a quarrel?" Mary had hopefully asked.
"Quarrel with Burdon Woodward?" asked Helen, and in a low voice she answered herself, "I couldn't if I tried."
"… Do you love him, Helen?"
To which after a pause, Helen had answered, much as she had spoken before, "I only wish he had half of Wally's money…." And would say no more.