"Why--why, I don't know. Perhaps I did, but--but what difference does it make? You heard what Elizabeth said. She says we can't afford it. She always attends to such matters, you know she does." "Yes," with sarcastic emphasis, "we do, but we don't know _why_ she should. And in this case we aren't going to stand it. You are supposed to be managing this place, Cordelia Berry, and if you are willing to turn your duties over to a--a mere child we aren't willing to let you. Once more I ask you----" Elizabeth interrupted. "There, there, Elvira," she said, "what _is_ the use? It isn't a question of mother's opinion or what she has said before. It is just a matter of money. We can't afford it." Miss Snowden ignored her. "We shall not," she repeated, "permit our future and--and all like that to be ruined by the whims of a mere child. _That_ is final." She pronounced the last sentence with solemn emphasis. The pause which followed should have been impressive but Mrs. Tidditt spoiled the effect. "Mere child!" she repeated, significantly. "Well, I presume likely she _is_ a mere child compared to some folks. Only she just looks childish and they act that way." There was another outburst of indignant exclamations from the committee. The head of that body turned to her followers. "It is quite evident," she declared, furiously, "that this conference is going to end just as the others have. But this time we are not going to sit back and be trampled on. There are those higher up to be appealed to and we shall appeal to them. Come!" She stalked majestically to the door and marched out and down the hall, the committee following her. Only Mrs. Tidditt remained, and she but for a moment. "They're goin' to the back room to have another meetin'," she whispered. "If there's anything up that amounts to anything, 'Lizabeth, I'll come back and let you know." Elizabeth did not answer, but Kendrick offered a suggestion. "You don't belong to this committee," he observed. "Perhaps they won't let you into the meetin'." The eyes behind the steel spectacles snapped sparks. "I'd like to see 'em try to keep me out," declared Mrs. Esther, and hurried after the others. Elizabeth turned to her mother. "Mother," she said, earnestly, "we must be very firm in this matter. We simply can't afford to spend any money just now except for necessities. If they come to you again you must tell them so. You will, won't you?" And now Mrs. Berry's agitation reached its climax. She turned upon her daughter. "Oh, I suppose so," she cried hysterically, "I suppose so! I shall have to go through another scene and be spoken to as if--as if I were dirt under these women's feet instead of being as far above them in--in position and education and refinement as the clouds. Why can't I have peace--just a little peace and quiet? Why must I _always_ have to undergo humiliation after humiliation? I----" "Mother, mother, please don't----" But her mother was beyond reason.