"Not financially," explained Douglas. "Nothing but money counts with his wife. In telling me of this boy, Minturn confessed that he was forced, _forced_ mind you, to see his sons ruined, while he is building a street gamin as he would them, if permitted." "How sad, Douglas!" cried Leslie. "Your voice is bitter. Can't he do something?" "Not a blooming thing!" answered Douglas. "She has the money. She is their mother. Her character is unimpeachable. If Minturn went to extremes, the law would give them to her; she would turn them over to ignorant servants who would corrupt them, and be well paid for doing it. Why Minturn told me--but I can't repeat that. Anyway, he made me eager to try my ideas on a lad who would be company for me, when I can't be here and don't wish to be with other men." "Are you still going to those Brotherhood meetings?" "I am. And I always shall be. Nothing in life gives me such big returns for the time invested. There is a world of talk breaking loose about the present 'unrest' among women; I happen to know that the 'unrest' is as deep with men. For each woman I personally know, bitten by 'unrest,' I know two men in the same condition. As long as men and women are forced to combine, to uphold society, it is my idea that it would be a good thing if there were to be a Sisterhood organized; then the two societies frankly brought together and allowed to clear up the differences between them." "But why not?" asked the girl eagerly. "Because we are pursuing false ideals, we have a wrong conception of what is _worth while in life_," answered the Scotsman. "Because the sexes except in rare, very rare, instances, do not understand each other, and every day are drifting farther apart, while most of the married folk I know are farthest apart of all. Leslie, what is it in marriage that constrains people? We can talk, argue and agree or disagree on anything, why can't the Minturns?" "From what you say, it would seem to me it's her idea of what is worth while in life," said Leslie. "Exactly!" cried Douglas. "But he can sway men! He can do powerful work. He could induce her to marry him. Why can't he control his own blood?" "If she should lose her money and become dependent upon him for support, he could!" said Leslie. "He should do it anyway," insisted Douglas. "Do you think you could?" she queried. "I never thought myself in his place," said Douglas, "but I believe I will, and if I see glimmerings, I'll suggest them to him." "Good boy!" said the girl lightly. And then she added: "Do you mind if I think myself in her place and see if I can suggest a possible point at which she could be reached? I know her. I shouldn't consider her happy. At least not with what I call joy." "What do you call joy?" asked Douglas. "Being satisfied with your environment." Douglas glanced at her, then at her surroundings, and looking into her eyes laughed quizzically.