"But you'd better divide up with the ladies, Mr. Schwarmer," laughed Rattlinger, "or you will have to enter the field against them; I don't believe you want to do that. At least I shouldn't. I should know that I would have to beat a retreat in the end and I should rather beat a retreat in the beginning while I could do it and save my honor; as the famous French General always did. I would not wait 'til I had a lot of indictments social or otherwise tacked onto my coat-skirts. As I understand it they have quite a number of things laid up against you; and you know the ladies are famous for making things look picturesque." The laugh of the President at this remark was so contagious that Schwarmer couldn't help joining in. "It's all over with you, my good man," said the President, slapping him on the shoulder as he proceeded to put on his hat. "The _women people_ have pleaded guilty--guilty of doing a good deed and they have won their case according to Lawyer Rattlinger's opinion. You had better send the library along at once. A little concession of that sort makes everything run as smooth as silk." The President and the lawyer went home to tea and Schwarmer returned to the city on the next train. Nothing was heard from him until September first. Then he came on in his rushing way with a surveyor, two architects and half a dozen contractors. The news ran through the town like wild fire that he was really going to begin the long looked for library building. It was to be on the vacant lot where he was born. The house not being of a substantial character had been demolished long ago and the lot itself had been voted a nuisance by the adjacent neighbors; so there were more reasons than one for rejoicing. The ladies were especially delighted. "Behold the result of your maiden speech!" exclaimed Ralph when he came home with the good news. "Newly married speech," laughed Ruth; but as Ralph went on to tell of the large preparations which were being made she shook her pretty head and "hoped Schwarmer would not be so idiotic as to put all his donation into a splendid building and leave nothing for books. A good plain, commodious building is what we want. Not a palatial, monumental thing that will make our homes look like hovels and turn out to be a monument for himself, for us to keep in order." "Seneca the Sensible," were Ralph's next words, "but, you are right, dear love," he added, "Schwarmer needs watching. 'Eternal vigilance' is the price when you deal with such a man. The corporation is not obliged to accept his library unless it is properly furnished and endowed. I'll speak to the Golden Rule President about that, at once. Bless your heart for putting it into my head." "Who in the world is Dombey bringing us?" exclaimed Ruth as her dog came leaping and frisking up the walk. "He acts as though he had secured a great prize."