e places, my dear, these social
settlements, as they call them, Saint Ruth's, and--er--the rest of them,
are the breeding-places of discontent, of unrest hotbeds of socialism. I
can't approve of your going there often."

"Well, of course, Uncle Peter, you know far more about it than I do. But
I should think that Saint Ruth's would make the poor people more
contented. If there were no such clean, bright, cheery places to go to,
and to leave their babies in, and to hear music on summer nights, and
see the motion-pictures which make them forget their hard, drudging,
colorless lives for a little while,"--here Phyllis caught her breath in
that fascinating way she has--"if there were no such helpful places, I
should think they might be more hopeless and bitter. But when they know
that Lady Neville, and you, and other rich people care something for
them,--enough to want to give them some happy hours; when they see Peggy
Neville teaching their little girls to sew,--don't you think they may
feel less like throwing a stone through the windows of her motor?"

"Perhaps, my dear child, perhaps. I do not say you are wrong. I am
inclined to think, however, that they suppose these--er--social
settlements are maintained by the County Council, and supported by the
rates. And I rather think," added Sir Peter, lighting his cigar, "I
rather think they believe they pay the rates themselves."

"Have you ever visited Saint Ruth's, Uncle Peter? But I am sure you
haven't, or I should have known it. Now, how can you sit in your library
here and analyze the thoughts and motives of those poor people? What
must Saint Ruth's seem to them, compared with their miserable
dwellings?"

"I can't say I have ever been there," owned Sir Peter, "but I am one of
the Board of Trustees, in charge of the funds of several philanthropic
institutions, and I hear these things discussed. But, my dear child, I
do not wish to offer any objection to your going there if you are
interested. Good idea; see the other side. Of course, you won't ever go
alone, though. Those East End streets, you know--better take the car and
have Thompson wait. I will make an inquiry or two of Sir Charles
Anstruther at the Club; he takes a deep interest in--er--these social
settlements,--Toynbee Hall and----Ten o'clock! I shall be late.
Good-bye, my dear. Have a good time in your own way."

Phyllis may have confused inclination with duty a little; in any event,
Mrs. Thorpe, whose kind face