t symbolizes full citizenship. I won't aim at
anything less than that. Women must be taught to keep their eyes on
that, as the irreducible minimum of their demands."

"We mustn't argue. You know that I think they must be taught to look at
quite different things."

"Yes; but what those things are you have left me in doubt. We will talk
it over when you have more time to spare. Do you know my address?
Pear-tree Cottage, Rickstead Road. I shall be very glad to see you if
ever you care to call."

Denzil made his acknowledgments, shook hands, and left the room.

When his step sounded in the hall, the housekeeper appeared and
conducted him to the upper stories. He examined everything attentively,
but in silence; his features expressed grave thought. Mr. and Mrs.
Hornibrook, he was told, were living in Guernsey, and had resolved to
make that island their permanent abode. A Polterham solicitor was their
agent for the property.

Denzil was given to acting on the spur of the moment. There might be
dwellings obtainable that would suit him better than this, but he did
not care to linger in the business. As he passed out of the iron gates
he made up his mind that the house, with necessary repairs, would do
very well; and straightway he turned his steps to the office of the
agent.

CHAPTER IX

The village of Rickstead lay at some five miles' distance from that
suburb of Polterham where dwelt Mr. Toby Liversedge, Mr. Mumbray (the
Mayor), Mr. Samuel Quarrier, and sundry other distinguished townsfolk.
A walk along the Rickstead Bead was a familiar form of exercise with
the less-favoured people who had their homes in narrow streets; for on
either side of the highway lay an expanse of meadows, crossed here and
there by pleasant paths which led to the surrounding hamlets. In this
direction no factories had as yet risen to deform the scene.

Darkness was falling when Quarrier set forth to keep his appointment
with Eustace Glazzard at the Coach and Horses Inn. The road-lamps
already glimmered; there would be no moon, but a soft dusky glow
lingered over half the sky, and gave promise of a fair night. Denzil
felt his boyhood revive as he got clear of the new houses, and began to
recognize gates, trees, banks, and stiles; he could not say whether he
enjoyed the sensation, but it served to combat certain troublesome
thoughts which had beset him since the morning. He was experiencing
reaction after the excitement of the last two