in a most unprecedented fashion. These signs of
backsliding were very distressing to Miss Mellor, who had been
encouraged by her companion's unfailing acquiescence to imagine herself
unanswerable in argument, but she was encouraged to believe that example
might perhaps accomplish what precept had failed to inspire.

"You will, I know, rejoice with me on a great honour which has been
conferred upon me by my fellow-workers," she announced proudly one day.
"I have been promoted from the reserves to a foremost position in the
fighting line. I am nominated for active service on Friday next!"

Norah's eyes were exceptionally large and expressive, and the
saucer-like stare of curiosity which she turned upon the speaker was
very gratifying to that good lady's feelings.

"On Friday evening. At the Albert Hall. The Chancellor is to speak.
We shall be there. Twenty are nominated for service. _I_ am Number
Nine!"

Norah stared harder than ever. This sounded rather perilously like the
story of a Nihilist Plot which she had read in a shilling shocker some
weeks before. She had visions of bomb explosions and wholesale arrests,
and, as ever, the thought of John obtruded itself into the foreground of
her mind. What would John think if Miss Mellor were arrested, and gave
the name of Norah Boyce as her chosen friend and confidante?

"Number Nine, for _what_?" she gasped nervously, and Miss Mellor was
hurried into unthinking reply:

"For screaming--I mean protesting. The first eight champions will raise
their voices in rotation. They will be silenced, probably ejected.
Then it will be My Turn."

"Ejected!" Norah looked scared. "Turned out. Oh-h! How dreadful!
They will seize hold of you--men will seize hold of you, and pull and
drag. They will pinch your arms... It must be horrid to be pinched!"

"What would have become of the world if other great reformers had ceased
their struggles through dread of being pinched?" demanded Miss Mellor
sternly; and Norah felt snubbed, and looked it. She had no courage left
for further argument.

On the next Friday afternoon Norah took her way to the flat to accompany
her fighting employer on the walk abroad which should invigorate her for
the evening's fray, but to her dismay found the good lady stretched upon
the sofa, very flushed as to face, and husky as to voice.

"It is quinsy," she announced. "I'm subject to it. I felt it coming
on, but I would not give in. I have gar