very old friend, so I hear the question discussed from both
sides, and then--like a wise woman--I gang my own gait! So long as men
are men, and girls are girls, they are bound to attract each other; it's
natural and right, and when they are bound to meet in any case, it is my
little hobby to help them to do so under the best conditions. I flatter
myself I am quite an expert in the art of being just chaperon enough,
and not too chaperon, and I never refuse to act if I can possibly
contrive to do so."

"No! Dan said--" began Darsie involuntarily, and then stopped short
with a furious blush. Mrs Reeves, however, did not share her
discomfiture; she laughed, and said shrewdly--

"Oh, I have observed his disapproving eye. I can guess what he said.
Many people feel the same, who judge only from the surface, and don't
take the trouble to realise my motives. One doesn't explain such things
to the world in general, but I want _you_ to understand. If one man
less admirable than another; if his friends and his entertainments are
inclined to become rowdy and discreditable, does he need help _less_, or
more? Vernon and other men of his kind consider that they do their duty
by leaving such a man severely alone. I find mine in being with him--
just--as much--as ever I can!" She emphasised the words by a series of
taps with the poker on the top of an obstinate coal, given in the most
delightfully school-girlish manner. "I chaperon his parties; I talk to
him and his friends; I make myself so agreeable that they love to have
me, and want to have me again. I try with every power I possess to
encourage all that is good, and kind, and honest, and cheering in
themselves and their conversation, and deftly, delicately, invisibly, as
it were, to fight against everything that is mean and unworthy. It's
difficult, Darsie!--I may call you Darsie, mayn't I? it's such a
beguiling little name!--one of the most difficult feats a woman could
set herself to accomplish, and though I've had a fair measure of
success, it's only a measure. It's such a great big work. Think of all
that it means, that it _may_ mean to England, if we can keep these men
from drifting, and give them a pull-up in time! I am constantly
looking, looking out for fellow-workers. That's why I invited you here
to-day--to ask _you_ to be on my side!"

"I!" Darsie's gasp of amazement sounded throughout the room. "I! Oh,
you can't mean it! What could I do? I can do