"As Vice-President," said a white-haired woman, standing up suddenly near the desk, "I suggest that it would be a more practical investment of our time if we confine ourselves to finding out what the candidates could do." "Do you wish me to register this woman as Yellow Sal?" inquired the President, severely. "Put her down as Sarah Yellow," advised the Vice-President, and resumed her seat. This passage seemed to unhinge the candidate. The question of what she could do found her relapsed into speechlessness. Even its repetition elicited only twistings and spasmodic grins. "Come, come," said the President, wearily. "You are a strong, able-bodied woman; you at least can do a good day's work at something. Now, the question is, what?" Yellow Sal only moved her massive shoulders with an air of conscious power. "Did you cook?" "_Cook?_ No, mehm." She smiled in a superior fashion. "What then?" She twisted a piece of her calico gown. "Were you the laundress?" "_Me?_ No, mehm. Bet an' Sabina done de washin'." "Well, and you? Were you nurse?" The down-trodden one shook her head. "Nebber could abide chillen." "Well, what _did_ you do?" The President leaned in a threatening attitude over the desk. "Huh! Me, mehm? _Me_--w'y," speaking soothingly, "Lor bress yo' soul, mehm, I done kep' de flies off'n ole missis." Miss Hannah's hope of the possible good effects of the meeting upon her guest was more than justified. Mrs. Gano returned to Ashburton Place in a distinctly cheerful frame of mind. Whether Mr. Tallmadge, too, had begun the day with vows of peace, he certainly bore himself towards his unwelcome visitor with no little consideration and courtesy. Mrs. Gano was forced to admit to herself a growing respect, an unwilling admiration even, for her old enemy. The only outward and visible sign of this change of heart was made manifest after the departure of the one other visitor that evening brought to Ashburton Place. Mr. Tallmadge had not only prevented Mr. Garrison from speaking of the war, but he had headed the conversation off every time it approached any topic of the day that bore upon the South. When the door closed behind him Mrs. Gano turned to her host and said, formally: "I appreciate your desire not to have these questions raised in my presence; but I see that in one regard you misapprehend me. I agree with your visitor as to the undesirability of slavery." "You, madam?" She bowed. "My objection is almost solely on the score of its evil effects on the superior race. Still, slavery was an institution we had inherited, and in which our social and industrial life was rooted. One part of a free country had no right to dictate to another part. The South would have freed her slaves herself in due time." Mr. Tallmadge was unable to repress an incredulous smile.