Didactic fiction; Political fiction; Social problems -- Fiction
"There isn't any woman's college in the country which has a higher
standard of scholarship. It is one of the best there is in that way. If
you want to be a 'scholar,' if you want to go in for Greek or
mathematics or one of the sciences, a degree from Bryn Mawr is something
to be proud of. But most of the girls are rich. I don't mean that they
would be unkind to you. With Mrs. Van Cleave back of you, you don't need
to worry--they'd probably go to the other extreme. But I don't believe
you'd find many of the girls--or many of the faculty--interested in the
problems of working people. Mrs. Van Cleave is very kind, but I think
even she is more interested in you than in 'strikes.' As I say, if you
want to be a 'scholar,' it's a good place. But if you want to be a labor
agitator, if you want to fight for freedom, I don't think Bryn Mawr
would help you much."
The excited glow in Yetta's eyes, the heightened color of her cheeks,
died out.
"What's the other offer?" she asked. "You said there were two."
"Oh, it isn't any fairy godmother proposition, my dear Cinderella," Mrs.
Karner said. "It's just everyday work. Nothing so fine as a college
degree. It's in Miss Train's line, so she'd better tell you."
"No, Yetta," Mabel said. "This other offer is a pretty drab-colored
affair. You know my old plan to try to ally all the garment workers,
vests and coats and pants and cloaks and overalls, all in one big
federated union like the building trades. Well, this vest strike has
been so successful, I've been able to interest some of the ladies in my
bigger scheme and they've put up the money so the league can hire a new
organizer. It isn't as much as you could earn at the machine, but it is
enough to live on. We all think you'd be the ideal person. You could
keep on as business agent for the vest-makers. I know they want you, and
even if they can't pay you anything, it would give you a standing with
the Central Federated Union and even among the unorganized workers. They
all know about how this strike won, and there's sure to be others soon.
Of course there would be lots of work, but the ladies would be willing
to let you have your mornings free to study. It isn't like going to
college. But if you really want to educate yourself, you could do it.
We'll all help you. I don't want to urge you. I want you to do the thing
you think is best for yourself. And Mrs. Van Cleave's offer is very
generous. But you know how much I would like to have you working with me
in the League."
Yetta got up and went to the window. She knew that all the eyes were
fixed on her back. She knew what they were thinking, and she resented
it. They had all had a college education given them as a matter of
course. They could not know what it meant to her. She could not get her
wits together under their silent regard.
"I guess I'll go and lie down till dinner," she said. "I must
think--about to-night's speech."
When she had disappeared, Longman broke out.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account