"Mrs. Berry," she began, "we are here—we have come here, these ladies and I—we have come here—we—— Oh, what is it?"
This last was addressed to Mrs. Chase, who was tugging at her skirt.
"Talk louder," cautioned Aurora, in a stage whisper. "I can't hear you."
With an impatient movement Miss Snowden freed her garment and began again.
"Mrs. Berry," she repeated, "we are here, these ladies and I, to—to ask a question and to express our opinion on a very important matter. We are all agreed——"
Here she was again interrupted, this time by Mrs. Esther Tidditt, the little woman in the gingham dress. Mrs. Tidditt's tone was brisk and sharp.
"No, we ain't agreed neither," she announced, with a snap of her head which threatened shipwreck to the steel spectacles. "I think it's everlastin' foolishness. Don't you say I'm agreed to it, Elvira Snowden."
Elvira drew her thin form erect and glared. "We are practically agreed," she proclaimed crushingly. "You are the only one who doesn't agree."
"Humph! And I'm the only one that is practical. Of all the silly——"
"Esther Tidditt, was you appointed to do the talking for this committee or was I?"