"I quite agree with you!" Evadne exclaimed; then stopped, colouring crimson. She had forgotten in her interest that she was a stranger to these people; and only remembered it when they all looked at her—rather blankly, as she imagined. "I beg your pardon," she said, addressing Mrs. Malcomson. "I could not help overhearing the discussion, and I am deeply interested. I am—Mrs. Colquhoun," she broke off, covered with confusion.
"Oh, I am very glad to make your acquaintance," Mrs. Malcomson said warmly. "I called on you to-day on my way here, but you were out."
"And so did I," said Mrs. Sillenger.
"And I hope to have the pleasure very soon," Mr. St. John added, bowing.
Mrs. Beale joined, the group just then.
"You have been talking so merrily in this corner," she said, sitting down on a high chair as she spoke, "I have been wondering what it was all about!"
"Woman's Rights!" Mrs. Malcomson uttered in deeply tragic tones.
"Woman's Rights! Oh, dear me, how dreadful!" Mrs. Beale exclaimed comfortably. "I won't hear a word on the subject."
"Not on the subject of cooking?" said Mrs. Malcomson.
"What has cooking to do with it?" Mrs. Beale asked.