“Then we may count upon you?” he asked. “Yes, yes,” she said; “but I don't really know what I'm to do.” Mr. Brandreth had risen; but he sat down again, as if glad to afford her any light he could throw upon the subject. “How am I to 'influence people,' as you say?” she continued. “I'm quite a stranger in Hatboro'; I hardly know anybody.” “But a great many people know _you_, Miss Kilburn. Your name is associated with the history of the place, and you could do everything for us. You _won't_ refuse!” cried Mr. Brandreth winningly. “For instance, you know Mrs. Wilmington.” “Oh yes; she's an old girl-friend of mine.” “Then you know how enormously clever she is. She can do anything. We want her to take an active part--the part of the Nurse. She's delightfully funny. But you know her peculiar temperament--how she hates initiative of all kinds; and we want somebody to bring Mr. Wilmington round. If we could get them committed to the scheme, and a man like Mr. Putney--he'd make a capital Mercutio--it would go like wildfire. We want to interest the churches, too. The object is so worthy, and the theatricals will be so entirely unobjectionable in every respect. We have the Unitarians and Universalists, of course. The Baptists and Methodists will be hard to manage; but the Orthodox are of so many different shades; and I understand the new minister, Mr. Peck, is very liberal. He was here in your house, I believe.” “Yes; but I never saw him,” said Annie. “He boarded with the farmer. I'm a Unitarian myself.” “Of course. It would be a great point gained if we could interest him. Every care will be taken to have the affair unobjectionable. You see, the design is to let everybody come to the theatricals, and only those remain to the supper and dance whom we invite. That will keep out the socially objectionable element--the shoe-shop hands and the straw-shop girls.” “Oh,” said Annie. “But isn't the--the Social Union for just that class?” “Yes, it's _expressly_ for them, and we intend to organise a system of entertainments--lectures, concerts, readings--for the winter, and keep them interested the whole year round in it. The object is to show them that the best people in the community have their interests at heart, and wish to get on common ground with them.” “Yes,” said Annie, “the object is certainly very good.” Mr. Brandreth rose again, and put out his hand. “Then you will help us?” “Oh, I don't know about that yet.” “At least you won't hinder us?” “Certainly not.” “Then I consider you in a very hopeful condition, Miss Kilburn, and I feel that I can safely leave you to Mrs. Munger. She is coming to see you as soon as she gets back.”