The two young women were left alone together, and Clare brought forward a chair.

“Sit down, won’t you? Here?”

A moment later the front door was heard to hang and at the sound of it Madge laughed a little.

“Funny things, husbands! I am sure I shouldn’t know what to do with one.”

Clare smiled wanly.

“One can’t do anything with them.”

“By the by,” said Madge, “I have brought a new pamphlet for you. The ‘Rights of Wives.’”

Clare took the small book nervously, as though it were a bomb which might go off at any moment.

“I have been reading those other pamphlets.”

“Pretty good, eh?” said Madge, laughing. “Eye-openers! What?”