"Oh very. I hardly wished to go as they were strangers to me; but I was very happily disappointed, and enjoyed the evening exceedingly."
"Were there reports?"
"Very full ones, and Mrs. Burton was particularly interesting. She had forgotten her notes, but gave her reports from memory very beautifully."
"Ah, I am sorry for that. It must have destroyed the pleasure of the evening for you."
"I don't understand, Mr. Foster."
"Why you remarked that you considered it improper for ladies to take part in such matters: and of course what is an impropriety you can not have enjoyed."
"Oh that is a very different matter. It was not a prayer-meeting."
"I beg pardon. I did not understand. It is only at prayer-meetings that it is improper for ladies to speak. May I ask why?"
Ester was growing vexed. "Mr. Foster," she said sharply, "you know that it is quite another thing. There are gentlemen enough present, or ought to be, to do the talking in a prayer-meeting."
"There is generally a large proportion of gentlemen at the society. I presume there were those present capable of giving Mrs. Burton's report."