her mind bare of small talk, had not jostled her substantial
ideas on the familiar theme. She determined to broach the subject
delicately and with caution. If Joel cared for discussion, this would
occupy a good portion of the afternoon, and be a sufficient antidote
for her unfortunate poetical selections. It was even possible that a
strong forceful presentation of the case might result in making a
convert. Susan thrilled, realizing what such an accession would mean
to the cause.

"Mr. Dale," she began, feeling her way to a tactful introduction. "I
am sure you must have a pretty good opinion of women. A man with such
a sister as you've got couldn't help it."

Her opening was unfortunate. No man is so reluctant to recognize
feminine superiority as the one who profits most by the gifts of some
woman. Joel's brow clouded, and his answer showed a cautious resolve
not to be trapped into any compromising admission.

"Oh, I haven't anything against women folks. I've always thought the
poet went too far when he said:

"'Mankind from Adam has been woman's fools.
Women from Eve have been the Devil's tools.'"

Despite the negative nature of this encouragement, Susan continued.

"I'm sure a fair-minded man like you are, Mr. Dale, wouldn't want to
keep any woman out of what rightfully belonged to her. You'd want her
to have a chance to fill her place in the world, wouldn't you?"

"Why, yes, I'd be in favor of that." Joel's voice was less positive
than his words, owing to an inward uncertainty as to the trend of these
observations.

"Well, Mr. Dale, there's lots of us that are ready to take up our share
of the duties the Creator designed for us. We are standing waiting
like the people in the parable that nobody had hired. The trouble is
you won't let us, you men won't. We've got to wait for you to give us
our rights. All our willingness doesn't amount to anything till you
are ready."

A sudden harassing suspicion assailed the target of Susan's eloquence,
and no sooner had it entered his mind than a dozen details instantly
corroborated it. Joel remembered the look which had accompanied
Susan's declaration that he would be an easy man to cook for. The love
poems had in themselves been equivalent to an avowal of passion even
without her tell-tale blushes. And now at last he grasped the
underlying meaning of her vague hints and obscure figures of speech.
For though she talked of rights and duties and the