dependent! The world must look to its concerns. Most likely we
shall have a revolution in the social order greater than any that yet
seems possible. Let it come, and let us help its coming. When I think
of the contemptible wretchedness of women enslaved by custom, by their
weakness, by their desires, I am ready to cry, Let the world perish in
tumult rather than things go on in this way!'

For a moment her voice failed. There were tears in her eyes. The
hearers, most of them, understood what made her so passionate; they
exchanged grave looks.

'Our abusive correspondent shall do as best he can. He suffers for the
folly of men in all ages. We can't help it. It is very far from our
wish to cause hardship to any one, but we ourselves are escaping from a
hardship that has become intolerable. We are educating ourselves. There
must be a new type of woman, active in every sphere of life: a new
worker out in the world, a new ruler of the home. Of the old ideal
virtues we can retain many, but we have to add to them those which have
been thought appropriate only in men. Let a woman be gentle, but at the
same time let her be strong; let her be pure of heart, but none the
less wise and instructed. Because we have to set an example to the
sleepy of our sex, we must carry on an active warfare--must be
invaders. Whether woman is the equal of man I neither know nor care. We
are not his equal in size, in weight, in muscle, and, for all I can
say, we may have less power of brain. That has nothing to do with it.
Enough for us to know that our natural growth has been stunted. The
mass of women have always been paltry creatures, and their paltriness
has proved a curse to men. So, if you like to put it in this way, we
are working for the advantage of men as well as for our own. Let the
responsibility for disorder rest on those who have made us despise our
old selves. At any cost--at any cost--we will free ourselves from the
heritage of weakness and contempt!'

The assembly was longer than usual in dispersing. When all were gone,
Miss Barfoot listened for a footstep in the other room. As she could
detect no sound, she went to see if Rhoda was there or not.

Yes; Rhoda was sitting in a thoughtful attitude. She looked up, smiled,
and came a few paces forward.

'It was very good.'

'I thought it would please you.'

Miss Barfoot drew nearer, and added,--

'It was addressed to you. It seemed to me that you had forgotten how I
really thoug