"You, Mrs. Tweedie, above all others," interposed Mrs. Flint, "are the best qualified to lead us." Mrs. Tweedie appeared to be resigned to her fate. "I suppose," she sighed, "that if you _all_ insist (there were three who represented the ladies of Manville), it is my duty to comply with your wishes. We will immediately proceed to ballot." "Ought we to hold a caucus?" inquired Miss Sawyer while Mrs. Tweedie was passing paper and pencils to the ladies. "Why, what _is_ a caucus?" asked Mrs. Tweedie in astonishment. "A caucus," replied Miss Sawyer, "is a meeting held previous to an election. The men invariably hold them." "Then I am very sure that they are not proper," said Mrs. Tweedie, positively. "Do you know anything about them, Mrs. Flint?" The pastor's wife rolled her eyes skyward before replying. "I have heard Mr. Flint say that caucuses were not proper for decent men to attend," she replied. "And my husband," Mrs. Stout retorted, quickly, "says that a caucus is the only place where a vote counts." "It surely cannot be necessary in a woman's club," said Mrs. Tweedie. "Now if you will write on your slips of paper the name of the one whom you wish to be our president, I will appoint Mrs. Stout a committee to collect and count the ballots." "All right, but I can't pass my hat," replied Mrs. Stout, "because if I took it off I'd never get it on straight again. Put them in my hand, I promise not to look." Mrs. Stout proceeded to collect and count the ballots. "Ladies," said Mrs. Flint while they were awaiting the result, "this is a day long to be remembered. We have voted for the first time." "But not the last," said Mrs. Stout, "our time is comin'. Now if you're ready I'll tell you who's been elected. Mrs. Tweedie has got all the votes and is elected president. Speech!" "Really," responded Mrs. Tweedie, "there is no time for a speech even if I could make one. Of course I am very grateful. We will now ballot for a secretary and treasurer." The performance of voting was twice again enacted with the following result: Mrs. Stout was elected treasurer, and for the office of secretary there was a tie between Miss Sawyer and Mrs. Flint. "There's a conundrum for you to settle, Mis' President," chuckled Mrs. Stout. "I am sure that I have no idea what should be done," replied Mrs. Tweedie, much perplexed. "S'pose we call in Mr. Tweedie and let him vote," suggested Mrs. Stout, who was bubbling with mirth. "Preposterous!" exclaimed Mrs. Tweedie. "Give to one of the _other sex_ the privilege of suffrage in a woman's club? Never!" "Never!" piped Mrs. Flint and Miss Sawyer in chorus. "Why not let the president vote again?" said Mrs. Flint. "I am sure that I would willingly abide by her decision. Would that method be satisfactory to you, Miss Sawyer?" "I was about to suggest," replied Miss Sawyer, "that I would gladly withdraw in your favour." "Oh, no, indeed, Miss Sawyer, I could not let you make such a sacrifice."