Miss Cavard laughed softly.
"You are a very out-spoken boy, I must say. You tell me you are going to the meeting to-night?"
"Yes; of course."
They had been walking along side by side. Miss Cavard halted suddenly.
"Why should you go?"
"I am a member of the union and I must do my duty whether I accomplish anything or not."
"Don't go!" she said almost sharply.
"Don't go?" repeated Steve slowly. "Why not, pray?"
"My dear boy, I am some years older than you. I have had more experience with the world, and perhaps I am better able to understand some things than you are. You are young and impulsive, and——"
"But why do you advise me not to go to the meeting?" persisted the lad.