"Worried," she repeated, with an odd little smile, "are you ever anything so plebeian?" The other woman tossed her chin impatiently. "Really, Miss Adams," she said stiffly, "I wish you had given that class of Italians to--well, anyone but Caroline." The lady at the desk stiffened perceptibly. "And why not?" she inquired tersely. "You certainly must be aware that the reason I chose Caroline to fill the vacancy was because I thought her fitted--particularly fitted," she added, with deliberate emphasis. The little woman looked down at her excited chief with a quietly speculative smile. "Do you think," she said slowly, "that Caroline has the real social instinct?" The Lady Head was becoming annoyed. "One might think," she snapped, "that the training Caroline has received in her own home would amply fit her to meet--" "Any of the men of her own set," interrupted the other woman. "But as for managing a club of hot-headed Italians--" "Well, doesn't she manage them?" reiterated the woman at the desk, half rising from her low chair. "I should like to have you name a club that is more orderly--more--" "Indeed, it is orderly enough," admitted the little kindergartner. "There!" sniffed the Lady Head triumphantly, then with a sudden change of tone, "I really do not understand your objection. As for the boys--they adore her!" "That is where the trouble lies." The little kindergartner leaned forward over the desk and her voice was very serious. "Miss Adams," she began slowly, "you have been here five weeks--I have worked in this district for fifteen years. I know every boy and girl, every man and woman, who comes to this house. And I also know"--the speaker paused impressively--"that when a girl who is as young and as good-looking as Caroline treats the young men of her club with the same informality that she would show to the callers in her father's home--believe me, there will be disastrous consequences." "Do you mean--Do you dare--" the Lady Head's lifted eyebrows completed her question. This little kindergartner stood firm. "I think Caroline should be warned," she insisted quietly. "Her Italians are so young--so hot-blooded, and I'm afraid she has been encouraging them a little, too--" "Nonsense!" the other woman sprang quickly to her feet. "I have never heard anything so ridiculous--so utterly preposterous! Do my years of experience count for nothing in comparison with yours? Am I entirely lacking in good judgment--in common sense? My dear woman, I have always made friends of my club boys, invited them to my home--even young anarchists! Falling in love with her! Preposterous!" She paused for a moment breathless, and then began a fresh onslaught. "If Caroline has not sufficient tact--" A girl's blonde head appeared in the office doorway. "Did you call met?" she lisped sweetly. "I was passing through the hall and I thought I heard my name spoken." She paused, with a questioning glance at the two women.