'I expect she'll subscribe, too. She takes such an interest. Plenty of courage, too.' 'How do you know?' 'Well'--the voice dropped--'she's _all right_, but she belongs to rather stodgy people. Bothers about respectability, and that sort of thing. But she came along with me this afternoon distributing handbills all over the City for two hours! Not many women of her kind are ready to do _that_ the first thing.' 'No, I dare say not,' said Vida, humbly. 'And one thing I thought a very good sign'--Ernestine bent lower in her enthusiasm--'when we got to Finsbury Circus she said'--Ernestine paused as if struck afresh by the merits of the new recruit--'she said, "_Give me a piece of chalk!_"' 'Chalk! What did she want with----?' Borrodaile, too, leaned nearer. 'She saw me beginning to write meeting notices on the stones. Of course, the people stopped and stared and laughed. But she, instead of getting shy, and pretending she hadn't anything to do with me, she took the chalk and wrote, "Votes for Women!" all over the pavement of Finsbury Circus.' Ernestine paused a moment that Miss Levering might applaud the new 'helper.' 'I thought that a very good sign in such a respectable person.' 'Oh, yes; a most encouraging sign. Is it the one in mauve who did that?' 'No, that's--I forget her name--oh, Mrs. Thomas. She's new, too. I'll have to let her speak if you won't,' she said, a trifle anxiously. 'Mrs. Thomas, by all means,' murmured Borrodaile, as Ernestine, seeing her plea was hopeless, turned away. Vida caught her by the coat. 'Where are the others? The rest of your _good_ speakers?' 'Scattered up and down. Getting ready for the General Election. That's why we have to break in new people. Oh, she sent me some notes, that girl did. I must give them back to her.' Ernestine stooped and opened the portfolio on Miss Levering's lap. She rummaged through the bulging pockets. 'I thought,' said Miss Levering, with obvious misgiving, 'I thought I hadn't seen that affected-looking creature before.' 'Oh, she'll get over all that,' Ernestine whispered. 'You haven't much opinion of our crowds, but they can teach people a lot.' 'Teach them not to hold their heads like a broken lily?' 'Yes, knock all sorts of nonsense out and stiffen them up wonderfully.' She found the scrap of paper, and shut the portfolio with a snap. 'Now!' She stood up, took in the fact of the audience having increased and a policeman in the offing. She summoned her allies. 'It's nearly time for those Army and Navy workers to come out. The men will come first,' she said, 'and five minutes after, they let the women out. I'll begin, and then I think you'd better speak next,' she said, handing the die-away young woman her notes. 'These seem all right.' 'Oh, but, Miss Blunt,' she whispered, 'I'm so nervous. How am I ever to face all those men?' 'You'll find it quite easy when once you are started,' said Ernestine, in a quiet undertone.