This appeal to me, as though I were already _particeps criminis_, would have led me to protest, but she did not allow me the opportunity, for she continued: "But she has not been fair to Chairo; a girl ought to know when to make up her mind"--she became very serious now--"_I_ always knew where to stop; no man ever had the right to reproach _me_." I at last could agree with her and I smiled approval. She seemed delighted. "I am sure we are going to be great friends, and you will never misunderstand me, will you?" I protested that I never would, and was relieved by the entrance of Lydia First, who suggested our going to tea in the grove. On our way there as we passed the main entrance a detachment of militia--some dozen or so--entered, divided into two columns, and stood at arms while between them passed a woman somewhat more heavily draped than usual. I asked the meaning of this, and was told that she was a Demetrian. "But why the military escort?" asked I. "Demetrians are always attended by an escort unless they particularly desire to be spared the honor; many would avoid it but the cult dispenses with it only as a special favor and for a limited time." "I cannot see the use of it," lisped Aunt Tiny. But Lydia First looked sadly at her, and turning to me, said: "All of us do not understand the importance of upholding the dignity of the cult. It is the very key-stone of social order and we cannot pay too much honor to those by whose sacrifice it is preserved." We were joined at the grove by quite a party; Ariston came later; and among others I remarked a young girl with bright black eyes who was described to me as a journalist. It took me some time to become accustomed to their habit of describing a person's occupation as that adopted for recreation. The work they did for the state was not regarded as a matter of particular concern; it was the work they selected for their leisure hours which marked their character and bent. Neaera had been first attached to the official journal of the state; but she had joined Chairo's political party and her work on the journal betrayed her partisanship, so the state assigned her work in a factory, and she devoted her leisure therefore to the paper edited by Chairo.