"That's an astonishing statement," he began, ready for further banter; but she would not have it.
"There are," she said, "certain things that a woman ought to do, whether she's educated or not; and I have ideas about that. So you think these people here are expecting great things of me,—"
"Of course they are, and with reason," said Porter, still anxious to return to his joke.
"But I do not intend to have it! When I'm forty years old I may change my mind, but right now I want—"
She hesitated.
"Well, what do you want, child?" he said gently, with the fun gone out of his voice. They had had their coffee, and she sat with her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand.
"Why, I'm afraid I want to have a good time," she declared, rising.
"And that's just what I want you to have, child," he said kindly, putting his arm about her as they went out together.
Evelyn declined the honor offered her by the local council, at long range, in a note to Doctor Morris, giving no reasons beyond her unfamiliarity with political and school matters. These she knew would not be considered adequate by Doctor Morris, but the latter, after writing a somewhat caustic reply, in which she dwelt upon the new woman's duties and responsibilities, immediately announced her own candidacy. The incident was closed as far as Evelyn was concerned and she was not again approached in the matter.