The secretary slipped quietly from the room while the visitors drew up in a half-circle around the chairman's desk. "We are sure to give you a surprise," began Mrs. Bateman, "so we may as well tell you at once. We are going to enter city politics." "That's good," answered Allingham. "I trust you're going to offer us an available candidate for mayor? That's the greatest need in Roma today." "We are," said Mrs. Bateman, smiling. "Good!" cried Allingham, with enthusiasm. "I was just saying to Morgan, here, that if Judge Bateman would consent to run,--or rather, he was saying it and I was assenting, when you came in. I hope you're going to offer the Judge on the altar of municipal duty, Mrs. Bateman. He would carry the city." "No, indeed. Better than that," replied the Judge's wife. "Far better, we think," added Mrs. Stillman. "Mr. Allingham, the women of Roma are going to put forth their own candidate," pursued Mrs. Bateman. "Good, again. Since the women can vote, I don't see why, if you all get out and work, you can't elect anybody you see fit." "O, do you think so? Do you really believe that?" said Gertrude Van Deusen, who had not spoken before. "I do," solemnly asseverated the young man. "'You women can do whatever you undertake. Women without the vote can do almost anything they choose, here in the United States. But where they have the right of suffrage, they have absolutely everything in their hands. You've given me great courage. For, if you women really mean business, and will join your forces with the Municipal League--" he paused a little. "That's why we have come," said Mrs. Stillman. "Then we are sure of victory. Now if you can bring Judge Bateman or,--a better man, I think you said,--to accept the nomination, we can overthrow the gang of grafters at City Hall and establish good government here in Roma once more. Who is your man?" "Miss Gertrude Van Deusen." Mrs. Bateman's eyes twinkled as she pronounced the name; for she knew well the conservative position occupied by all the Allingham family on 'the woman question.' The chairman of the Municipal League gasped. Surely he had not heard aright. He turned to the younger woman, who sat smiling at him, confident of his support. Alas! What had he been saying? "I am delighted to feel that we have the Municipal League behind us," Mrs. Bateman was saying. "We mean to arouse every woman in this town, and make them vote,----" "But, ladies," began Allingham, already floundering in the dust of expediency, "have you thought?--Do you realize what you are doing? Under ordinary circumstances--in well-regulated towns perhaps,--but a woman for mayor?--In Roma? I'm afraid it wouldn't do." "But you just said we could do anything we pleased?" began Mrs. Stillman. "In the way of help, yes," replied the chairman, sore beset. "But this would be such an innovation."