In the discussion that followed, Barbara offered her most convincing inducement. “I’m not a mother,” she said, “but I am willing to do my part toward furthering the work. If I can have coöperation in the establishment of the nursery, I’ll give my time, in turn, to it. And I think—I’m not certain about it, but I think I may be able to furnish the room for the purpose.”
The novelty of the idea carried the day with the younger members of the club, and when Barbara took her place again, the seed of the enterprise had been planted. But her second mission to the Association met with less favorable result. The suggestion for the change of name met with decided opposition.
“It doesn’t seem ladylike to call it Woman’s Club,” objected Mrs. Angie Bankson.
“The name has been good enough for us for thirty years,” said Mrs. Bellows, with acerbity.
“A. L. L. A. makes such a good monogram,” sighed Miss Lillie Beckett, who designed the programs for the club on state occasions.
Mrs. Enderby’s sleep had filled her with good-will toward the world, and she amiably proposed a compromise. “Why not keep our old initials,” she said, “and take another name, each word beginning with the same letter as the old one?”
“What, for instance?” demanded Mrs. Bellows. “Do you happen to think of any?”
The sarcasm of the speech was lost on Mrs. Enderby.
“Well, Auburn for the first word,” she suggested mildly.