," said he sharply.
"There is a command from Paul that all women should keep silent in the
church in the presence of men."

"Paul was an old bachelor," irreverently answered Mrs. Hall. "What did
he know about women and their needs?"

"He received the commandments from God," replied the pastor gravely.

"Not that one, and what's more, I am going to talk all I want to, and if
there is a man who does not want to hear, let him go away until he
either changes his mind or desires to take things as they are.... Why!
the women have been speaking in our church for over a year."

At this juncture, Mrs. Graves walked in, pale and weary. She dropped
weakly into a chair.

"Your husband has just informed me," snapped Mrs. Hall, her beautiful
face flushing as she spoke, "that we are not to speak any more at the
church meetings. Do you approve of that, Mrs. Graves? I'm sure--"

"Like all dutiful and obedient wives," came the sharp interruption from
the minister, without giving his sorry-looking spouse a chance to speak,
"my wife thinks as I do. Mrs. Hall, allow me to entreat you to follow
the dictates of your conscience, and obey your husband always."

"My husband gives me my own way," answered Mrs. Hall with a toss of her
head.

"There he is wrong, but I shall leave you to talk things over with my
wife. On Sunday I shall make it the theme of my sermon and I hope before
Wednesday, my dear Mrs. Hall, that you and some others will look upon
the matter in a different light."

The Dominie wended his way toward the business quarter of the city and
turned into the Gas Company's office. Inquiring for Mr. Hall, he was
ushered into a private room marked "President," and heartily greeted one
of the deacons of his church.

"Anything wrong?" asked Hall, noticing the expression upon his pastor's
face.

"No, only I called about a new rule which we're going to pass Wednesday
evening, and you can help us if you will."

The president looked up inquiringly.

"The women must no longer speak at the prayer meeting."

Mr. Hall half rose from his chair as these words fell from the
clergyman's lips, but he sank mutely back.

"It has become necessary to enforce the laws of the church," explained
Graves, "and I have taken up this matter with some of the members--also
with your wife."

Mr. Hall dropped his eyes upon his left hand with the fingers of which
he was bending back those of his right.

"And what did she say?"

"I think it will b