"And why not?" she inquired tersely. "You certainly must be aware that the reason I chose Caroline to fill the vacancy was because I thought her fitted—particularly fitted," she added, with deliberate emphasis.
The little woman looked down at her excited chief with a quietly speculative smile.
"Do you think," she said slowly, "that Caroline has the real social instinct?"
The Lady Head was becoming annoyed.
"One might think," she snapped, "that the training Caroline has received in her own home would amply fit her to meet—"
"Any of the men of her own set," interrupted the other woman. "But as for managing a club of hot-headed Italians—"
"Well, doesn't she manage them?" reiterated the woman at the desk, half rising from her low chair. "I should like to have you name a club that is more orderly—more—"
"Indeed, it is orderly enough," admitted the little kindergartner.
"There!" sniffed the Lady Head triumphantly, then with a sudden change of tone, "I really do not understand your objection. As for the boys—they adore her!"
"That is where the trouble lies." The little kindergartner leaned forward over the desk and her voice was very serious. "Miss Adams," she began slowly, "you have been here five weeks—I have worked in this district for fifteen years. I know every boy and girl, every man and woman, who comes to this house. And I also know"—the speaker paused impressively—"that when a girl who is as young and as good-looking as Caroline treats the young men of her club with the same informality that she would show to the callers in her father's home—believe me, there will be disastrous consequences."