"'How you going to get them to set home, Silas?' I ask', some puzzled.
"'Well,' says Silas, 'that's where they ought to be, ain't it?'
"'Why,' I says thoughtful, 'I donno's they had.'
"'What?' says Silas, with horns on the word. 'What say, Calliope?'
"'How much settin' home evenings did you do when you was young, Silas?' I says.
"'I'd 'a' been a long sight better off if I'd 'a' done more of it,' says Silas.
"'However that is, you didn't set home,' I says back at him. 'Neither will young folks set there now, I don't believe.'
"'Well,' says Silas, 'anyhow, they've got to get off'n the streets. We've made up our minds to that. They can't set on steps nor in stairways down town, nor in entries, nor to the schoolhouse. We've got to look out for public decency.'
"'Public decency,' says I, again. 'They can do what they like, so's public decency ain't injured, I s'pose, Silas?'
"'No such thing!' shouts Silas. 'Calliope, take shame! Ain't we doin' our best to start 'em right?'