"I don't know about that," answered Ellen, "it's the hardest thing I ever had to do. I can't for the life of me----" "But just think," interrupted Evelyn, "it means Bryn Mawr. That's what we think of when we think of college. Oh! I wish I could just for once say what I think of the dear place. But I never can talk about it in a sensible way." "Just as well," put in Edith, "it's one of the things it doesn't pay to be sensible about." "Edith, what do you mean?" interjected Louise, "when you speak in public you can't talk twaddle. Dick says, common sense is the only thing that holds people." "He's faithful to his opinions anyway," answered Edith with a friendly nod, "you've just as much as ever." "But, Nell," asked Evelyn, leaning forward in her interest, "what are you going to say?" "That's what I don't know. I've gone from pillar to post trying to find out and----" "No wonder you're weary," said Edith, "wasting your time that way. Why on earth didn't you ask us? Please tell us where you did go." "Oh, to several places," answered Ellen evasively. "I never thought of bothering you people, you have so many outside things to attend to." "Yes to be sure, husbands and children and all the----" "You know that isn't what I mean," objected Ellen, setting down her teacup. "You always say you aren't interested in movements." "Oh, no!" corrected Edith, "not movements."-- "Well, anyway I didn't succeed with the other people. 'College training fits us to be citizens'; 'college teaches us to live by ideas'; 'college is of value to none but those gifted with a susceptibility for the exquisite refinements of the intellectual existence.' What am I to do with that?" Edith and Evelyn exchanged amused glances, while Louise looked scornful. Ellen continued, "I have to think how my words will affect Bryn Mawr, and also how they will strike my audience." "Don't forget yourself," said Edith. "You've a way of leaving a bit of yourself behind when you get to work." "Oh, it will come to you, don't fear," broke in Evelyn. "You do all that sort of thing so well, you'll be sure to make a hit. You couldn't help it talking about Bryn Mawr. If only I could do it. My four years there made life worth living." "Come now, Evelyn," said Edith teasingly, "it will never do for you to say things like that, and you just engaged. Please think of poor Mr. Brandon. He'll get to hate Bryn Mawr, and I won't blame him a scrap. You must----" "That has nothing to do with it," protested Evelyn, looking embarrassed, "but I know nothing could have been at all as it is if I hadn't gone there. With me the trouble wasn't so much a dearth of resources as a lack of opportunity for devotion. When I got to college I found that the thing demanded of me was devotion to Bryn Mawr. Every one expected it and I gave myself up to serving the first thing that needed me." "But that wasn't anything in Bryn Mawr," objected Louise, "that was you."