_Florence._ Yes, Carrie: I am an earnest advocate for reform. Noble women are doing brave work in _educating_ our sex to a realizing sense of their power for good in many of the walks of life heretofore kept sacred to the foot of man. But foolish women, who raise the cry of oppression or slavery, are no better than the political demagogues of the other sex,—loud in speech, but dumb in council. _Caroline._ And so you think mother has made a mistake? _Florence._ I certainly do. A woman's duty is to care for her household. From what little I have seen since I came home, I am convinced reform is needed here. (_Bell rings_, R.) If she would elevate her sex, I'm sure she could have no better task than to fit you—who were left penniless on her hands by a thoughtless father—for the station to which you have a right to aspire. (_Enter_ MAGGIE, R.) _Maggie._ If ye plase, Miss Florence, yez frinds, the Misses Nay and Dendron, are below, axin' for yez. _Florence._ Show them up, Maggie. (_Exit_ MAGGIE, R.) I must find some way to rid mother of her delusion. _Caroline._ I wish you could, Floy, for it is certainly very disagreeable for us who are left at home. (RHODA _and_ POLLIE _appear_, R.) _Rhoda._ May we come in? _Florence_ (_jumping up_). To be sure you may. Rhoda, you dear, dear girl! (_Kissing her._) Pollie, I'm glad to see you! (_Kissing_ POLLIE.) _Rhoda._ Saw you come up, and couldn't wait a minute longer; could we, Pollie? _Pollie._ No, indeed. We just dropped every thing, and ran across. How d'ye do? _Rhoda._ Yes; how are ye? Tell us, quick! _Pollie._ Had a splendid time, hey? _Rhoda._ Not engaged, are you? _Pollie._ What you got new for dresses? Why, there's Carrie! (_Shakes hands, and kisses._) _Rhoda._ Well, I declare, Miss Meekness! you are as still as a mouse. (_Shakes hands, and kisses._) _Caroline._ She's here, girls, and just as splendid as ever. _Rhoda and Pollie_ (_together_). Splendid? Of course she is. _Florence._ Come, come, girls; sit down and tell me the news. (CAROLINE _and_ RHODA _sit on lounge_, L.; POLLIE _in chair_, R.; FLORENCE _in chair_, C.) I'm dying to know what has been going on since I left. _Pollie._ Well, then, Tilly Dodd's really married. _Rhoda._ Pooh! that's an old story. She's talking about getting divorced now. _Pollie._ Divorced! Why, she's only been married six months! _Rhoda._ Six months and ten days. No matter about her. Have you read your mother's speech? _Florence._ I read a brief notice of it. _Rhoda._ I heard it all. She's the champion of her sex. Oh, it was grand! She flourished her right hand as majestically as any orator I ever heard; and her voice was as strong and clear as Patrick Henry's. _Pollie._ Lor, Rhoda, you never heard Patrick Henry.