e necessary for you to talk with her, Hall; surely you
have enough influence over her to make her see that it is absolutely
necessary that women should cease their--"

"I thought, Dominie," broke in the deacon, "that we had long outgrown
such notions. You had better let matters go on as they are."

The minister shook his head emphatically, and looked searchingly at his
parishioner.

"Fact is, Mr. Hall, you know that it is not a personal thing with me,
but for the good of the church. Hopkins has left and Carey only comes
when he feels like it. Several others stay away without a place to
worship, simply because the ladies will have their way. I have no
trouble with my wife and no man would if he were to demand obedience as
God says that he should. I shall preach upon it Sunday."

"Don't make it too strong," ventured Hall, thinking of his beautiful
wife.

As far as he was concerned it made no difference whether women were
silent or not, whether they wore hats to church or came in with bare
heads. He was happy in his home life, and was not willing to bring about
discord by arguments that meant nothing to him. When the church matter
had come up before, he had acquiesced without a word, had watched the
fight as it progressed, and when it ended had settled back to enjoy
peace--a happy official of Ithaca's gas company.

He looked out under his brows at the clergyman, as he fingered the
paper-cutter on his desk. He took it up mechanically and read the
inscription on the handle: "From me to you."

His wife had given it to him, and Hall mentally wondered if the woman
who could think of, and would dare to use, such a unique expression
would be frightened by a word from him.

Without asking Augusta, the husband knew that his wife would be the
first woman to rise to speak next Wednesday evening. This much he
intimated to Graves. An expression of sarcasm flitted over the
clergyman's countenance, but it quickly vanished--Graves was trying to
add to his strong friends that day. He only remarked that he hoped it
would be settled amicably. The president ventured another shot:

"Dominie, there's a complete turn in the affairs of Skinner; he says
that he did not commit the murder--that he positively did not pick up
the gun from the shore. Simply because he owned the gun is no proof that
he used it. Young says--"

"Young had better attend to his campus business," interrupted Graves.
"He will have all he can do. There's no doubt i