"You mean--immoral?" I asked, using the word in the restricted sense which I assumed Miss Goucher, like most maiden ladies, exclusively attached to it. To my astonishment Miss Goucher insisted upon more definition. "No, I shouldn't say that. She tells a good many little fibs, but she's not at heart dishonest. And I'm by no means certain she can be held responsible for her weakness in respect to men." A slight flush just tinged Miss Goucher's prominent cheek bones; but duty was duty, and she persevered. "She has a bad inheritance, I think; and until she came here, Mr. Hunt, her environment was always--unfortunate. If it were not for Susan, I shouldn't have spoken. I should have felt it my duty to try to protect the child and---- However," added Miss Goucher, "I doubt whether much can be done for Sonia. So my first duty is certainly to Miss Susan, and to you." Susan's quiet admiration for Miss Goucher had more or less puzzled me hitherto, but now my own opinion of Miss Goucher soared heavenward. Why, the woman was remarkable--far more so than I had remotely suspected! She had a mind above her station, respectable though her station might well be held to be. "My dear Miss Goucher," I exclaimed, "it is perfectly evident to me that my interests are more than safe in your keeping. Do what you think best, by all means!" "Unfortunately, Mr. Hunt," said Miss Goucher, "that is what I cannot do." "May I ask why?" "Society would not permit me," answered Miss Goucher. "Please explain," I gasped. "Sonia will cause a great deal of suffering in the world," said Miss Goucher, the color on her cheek bones deepening, while she avoided my glance. "For herself--and others. In my opinion--which I am aware is not widely shared--she should be placed in a lethal chamber and painlessly removed. We are learning to 'swat the fly,'" continued Miss Goucher, "because it benefits no one and spreads many human ills. Some day we shall learn to swat--other things." Calmly she rose to take her leave. Excitedly eager, I sprang up to detain her. "Don't go, Miss Goucher! Your views are really most interesting--though, as you say, not widely accepted. Certainly not by me. Your plan of a lethal chamber for weak sisters and brothers strikes me as--well, drastic. Do sit down." Again Miss Goucher perched primly upright on the outer edge of the chair beside my own. "I felt bound to state my views truthfully," she said, "since you asked for them. But I never intrude them upon others. I'm not a social rebel, Mr. Hunt. I lack self-confidence for that. When I differ from the received opinion I always suspect that I am quite wrong. Probably I am in this case. But I think society would agree with me that Sonia is not a fit maid for Susan." "Beyond a shadow of doubt," I assented. "But may I ask on what grounds you suspect Sonia?" "It is certainly your right," replied Miss Goucher; "but if you insist upon an answer I shall have to give notice." "Then I shall certainly not insist."