the young lady could wrestle with him
and render it doubtful of his keeping his legs. He was next engaged
in imagining that she would certainly burn and be a light in the
dark. Afterwards he discovered her feelings to be delicate, her looks
pleasant. Thereupon came one of the most singular sensations he had
ever known: he felt that he was unable to see the way to please her. She
confirmed it by her remarks and manner of speaking. Apparently she was
conducting a business.

'You're right, my dear Mrs. Adister, I'm on my way to the Laundry, and
I called to get Captain Con to drive there with me and worry the
manageress about the linen they turn out: for gentlemen are complaining
of their shirt-fronts, and if we get a bad name with them it will ruin
us. Women will listen to a man. I hear he has gone down to the city. I
must go and do it alone. Our accounts are flourishing, I'm glad to say,
though we cannot yet afford to pay for a secretary, and we want one.
John and I verified them last night. We're aiming at steam, you know.
In three or four years we may found a steam laundry on our accumulated
capital. If only we can establish it on a scale to let us give
employment to at least as many women as we have working now! That is
what I want to hear of. But if we wait for a great rival steam laundry
to start ahead of us, we shall be beaten and have to depend on the
charitable sentiments of rich people to support the Institution. And
that won't do. So it's a serious question with us to think of taking
the initiative: for steam must come. It 's a scandal every day that it
doesn't while we have coal. I'm for grand measures. At the same time we
must not be imprudent: turning off hands, even temporarily, that have to
feed infants, would be quite against my policy.'

Her age struck Patrick as being about twenty-three.

'Could my nephew Arthur be of any use to you?' said Mrs. Adister.

'Colonel Adister?' Miss Mattock shook her head. 'No.'

'Arthur can be very energetic when he takes up a thing.' 'Can he? But,
Mrs. Adister, you are looking a little troubled. Sometimes you confide
in me. You are so good to us with your subscriptions that I always feel
in your debt.'

Patrick glanced at his hostess for a signal to rise and depart.

She gave none, but at once unfolded her perplexity, and requested Miss
Mattock to peruse the composition of Mr. Patrick O'Donnell and deliver
an opinion upon it.

The young lady took the letter withou