“I don’t know, but from what Framley said, I imagine these are merely nominal, outside the entertaining of the club, which falls to every one’s share once in the season.” “Yet as we are so limited in money matters, we can run no risks; what would be nominal to people with double our income may be serious for us. I think I had better wait and see Mrs. Framley.” That lady called before Molly had been quite two weeks in Greenfield; she was very handsomely dressed, but of rather formal manners, which Molly came to know were natural to her, and rather a distress to herself. After the usual chat of a morning call Mrs. Framley said:— “I believe Mr. Framley spoke to Mr. Bishop about our reading-society. Mr. and Mrs. Winfield were members, and as we limit the club to fifteen couples we thought it would be very pleasant if you and Mr. Bishop would take their places.” Molly colored a little, hesitated, then said:— “Will you please tell me the exact conditions and expenses?” “Well, there are no particular conditions, except that no member is admitted that is not acceptable to all. Your names were proposed by Mr. Winfield and warmly welcomed; the expenses are nominal.” Molly smiled. She had braced herself to be quite frank. “But what is nominal? I may as well tell you our income is little more than sufficient for our needs, and we cannot risk incurring expense that may be quite beyond us.” “But there are several of our members who are in the same position, and for that reason we made a few rules at the start so that our club should not break up, as so many have done, on the rock of emulous hospitality. The actual expenses have never exceeded $2 each person for the winter, and have oftener been under a dollar and a half. This is outside the cost of entertaining. Every member having a house is supposed to have the meeting once in the season, and as all our members are householders, and some very hospitable, when anything occurs to make such reception inconvenient it is gladly taken by some one else; but as some are much wealthier than others, a rule was made that no ice-cream, oysters or bought cakes were to be allowed, only sandwiches, tea, coffee and home-made cake, and I am glad to say one lady, one of the most wealthy, has nothing but home-made wafers and coffee.” “Then I think Mr. Bishop and myself can accept the membership with an easy conscience, although I hardly see what acquisition I can be, for I cannot act. I don’t know whether my husband has any talent that way.” “I think you may have hidden your light,” said Mrs. Framley, politely, “but at least half of the members are honorary and only give us the pleasure of their presence; in fact, I myself am only an onlooker.” “Then I will have courage. When is the next meeting?” “Next Wednesday, at my house, and I am pleased to think your first evening will be there.” Molly thanked her, and soon after Mrs. Framley rose to go.