"Talk louder," cautioned Aurora, in a stage whisper. "I can't hear you." With an impatient movement Miss Snowden freed her garment and began again. "Mrs. Berry," she repeated, "we are here, these ladies and I, to--to ask a question and to express our opinion on a very important matter. We are all agreed----" Here she was again interrupted, this time by Mrs. Esther Tidditt, the little woman in the gingham dress. Mrs. Tidditt's tone was brisk and sharp. "No, we ain't agreed neither," she announced, with a snap of her head which threatened shipwreck to the steel spectacles. "_I_ think it's everlastin' foolishness. Don't you say _I'm_ agreed to it, Elvira Snowden." Elvira drew her thin form erect and glared. "We are practically agreed," she proclaimed crushingly. "You are the only one who doesn't agree." "Humph! And I'm the only one that is practical. Of all the silly----" "Esther Tidditt, was you appointed to do the talking for this committee or was I?" "You was, but that don't stop me from talkin' when I want to. I ain't on the committee, thank the good lord. I'm my own committee." This declaration of independence was received with an outburst of indignant exclamations, in the midst of which Mrs. Chase could be heard demanding to be told what was the matter and who said what. Elizabeth Berry stilled the hubbub. "Hush, hush!" she pleaded. "Don't, Esther, please. You can say your word later. I want mother--and Cap'n Kendrick--to hear this, all of it." The captain was still standing. He had risen when the "committee" entered the room. Its members, most of them, had been so intent upon the business which had brought them there that they had ignored his presence. Now, of course, they turned to look at him. There was curiosity in their look but by no means enthusiastic approval. Miss Snowden's nod was decidedly snippy. She looked, sniffed and turned again to Mrs. Berry. "We want your mother to hear it," she declared. "We've come here so she shall hear it--all of it. If--if _others_--who may not be 'specially interested want to hear they can, I suppose. I don't know why not.... _We_ haven't anything to hide. _We_ ain't ashamed--are not, I should say. Are we?" turning to those behind and beside her. Mrs. Brackett announced that she certainly should say not, so did several others. There was a general murmur of agreement. Every one continued to look at the captain. He was embarrassed. "I think perhaps I had better be goin'," he said, addressing Miss Berry. "I ought to be gettin' home, anyway." But the young lady would not have it. "Cap'n Kendrick," she said, earnestly, "I hope you won't go. Judge Knowles told me you were going to call. I was very glad when I found you had called now--at this time. And I should like to have you stay. You can stay, can't you?" Sears hesitated. "Why--why, yes, I presume likely I can," he admitted. "And will you--please?" He looked at her and she at him. Then he nodded.