"I am so glad to see you, Mr. Southwode," she said, before he had time to begin anything. "I want to know what you think of this proposition to open picture galleries and libraries to the people on Sunday?" "The arguments for it are plausible." "Certainly plausible. What do you think?" "It is of no consequence, is it, what any individual thinks?" "Why yes, as it seems to me. By comparing views and the reasons given in support of the views, one may hope to attain some sound conclusion." "Is it a matter for reason to consider?" Mrs. Busby opened her eyes. "Is not everything that, Mr. Southwode?" "I should answer 'no,' if I answered." "Please answer, because I am very much in earnest; and I like to drive every question to the bottom. Give me an instance to the contrary." "When you tell Miss Antoinette, for example, to put on india rubbers when she goes out in the wet, is she to exercise her reason upon the thickness of the soles of her boots?" "Yes," cried the young lady referred to; "of course I am! India rubbers are horrid things anyhow; do you think I am going to put them on with boots an inch thick?" Mr. Southwode turned his eyes upon her with one of his grave smiles. Mrs. Busby seemed to ponder the subject. "Is it raining to-night, Mr. Southwode?" Antoinette went on. "Yes." "How provoking! then I can't go out. Mr. Southwode, you never took me anywhere, to see anything." "True, I believe," he answered. "How could I ask Mrs. Busby to trust me with the care of such an article?" "What 'such an article'?" "Subject to damage; in which case the damage would be very great." "I am not subject to damage. I never get cold or anything. Mr. Southwode, won't you take me, some night, to see the Minstrels?" "They are not much to see." "But to hear, they are. Won't you, Mr. Southwode? I am crazy to hear them, and mamma won't take me; and papa never goes anywhere but to his office and to court; won't you, Mr. Southwode?" "Perhaps; if Mrs. Busby will honour me so much." "O mamma will trust _you_, I know. Then the first clear evening, Mr. Southwode? the first that you are at leisure?" Without answering her he turned to Mrs. Busby. "How is Rotha?" "Very well!" the lady answered smoothly. "Shall I have the pleasure of seeing her?" "I am afraid, not to-night. She was unable to come down stairs this afternoon, and so took her dinner alone. Next time, I hope, she will be able to see you." Mr. Digby privately wondered what the detaining cause could be, but thought it most discreet not to inquire; at least, not in this quarter. "Is the school question decided?" he therefore went on quietly.