"Mother," said Stella, "I do not fully understand the meaning of the writing on the bedroom door, which Burnette describes. You remember that part which reads: 'Sex is an illusion.' I understand too well the meaning of being in bondage to sex, but that sex is an illusion I do not see the meaning of, because we know that sex is real and has its use and purpose." "I cannot enlighten you, my dear," said her mother. "You will have to ask Penloe when you return the books." "Well, mother," said Stella, "I am going to put some of my theories into practice. I say my theories, but I do not exactly mean that; but I am going to put some advanced ideas into practice in regard to woman's freedom. I will now tell you one of them, and another later on. "Mother," continued Stella, "when a man lives alone and a woman wishes to go to his house to see him, she has to take another woman with her because it is not thought proper for a woman to be seen going alone calling at a house, particularly where a young man lives by himself. But if a woman lives alone and a man wants to see her he does not get some other man to go with him. No, he goes alone, and it is thought all right. Now, mother, I will be free, and, therefore, when I return the books to Penloe I will go alone." "All right, my dear," said her mother. "I am glad, Stella, you have the courage to practise your convictions. This talk of woman's rights and freedom we hear so much about and woman's liberty that we read of in the newspapers, is just so much evasion. A woman who may have known a good man for several years dare not call on him if he lives alone. One ounce of practice, Stella, is worth a thousand tons of big talk. Go ahead, my daughter, I am proud of you," said Mrs. Wheelwright. The week after Stella went to the house of Penloe to return the books. Penloe was in his library writing. When he heard a knock he arose and went to the door in a mechanical kind of way, his mind being more on the subject of his writing than upon who might be at the door. When he opened the door Stella said: "Good morning, Penloe; I have come to return your books." Stella's voice seemed to recall Penloe to where he was, and to notice who had come to see him. In a soft, musical voice, he said: "Glad to see you, Stella; walk in," giving her his hand, and Stella was shown in to the library.