The Resident apparently did not notice the touch of discourtesy in my remark.
“The Settlement,” he said, looking hesitatingly toward the Altruist, “serves two purposes. It is a station for philanthropic work, and also a centre for social investigation.”
“What is social investigation?” I asked bluntly.
To my delight the young man laughed. “That is a quotation from an article I am writing. It sounds rather bookish, doesn’t it?”
“It is a very good sentence,—for an article,” I admitted.
“Why, you see,” said the Resident, his eyes twinkling, “social investigation means drains and foods and that kind of thing.”
“Yes?” I said inquiringly.
“And immorality and crime and amusements. Also wages and causes of popular discontent. In fact, it embraces almost everything.”
The mingled audacity and shyness of the boy’s manner were very winning. I was becoming interested, but the Altruist looked deeply pained by this lightness of tone.
“How is this work carried on?” I asked.