"I never look for gratitude," she answered; "it is a waste of time. And why should people be grateful? Whatever we do, even though it be ostensibly for the benefit of others, we do in a measure for ourselves. Therefore there is no sufficient ground for gratitude. I shall simply love modernising Moresby. Modernising is one of my cranks. The improvement of women's economic position is another. I don't employ any men servants, except for the rough and hard work. I have a woman butler, women chauffeurs, women gardeners--head gardeners; they have lads under them. And their wages are at the same rate as men's wages. It works admirably. You must come and inspect every department when we are settled in. And if you can help with any ideas I shall be grateful." "So you permit yourself the grace of gratitude?" he said, smiling. "Oh, that's a figure of speech, of course. I hope you will be kind to me, and let me poke about the schools, and interfere generally?" "If that is a kindness, you can count on it," he said. "I shall be grateful for ideas too. I've grown behind the times with the rest." "You humbug!" remarked Mrs Sommers with a laugh. "He is the only progressive person in Moresby," she added, turning to Mrs Chadwick, who was watching the vicar's caressing hand as it played with her dog's ears. "You'll find he will possibly think ahead of you. Where you will need to start--and I very much doubt whether you will get beyond the starting-point--is with my brother, John. Modernise him, my dear, and I will believe in woman's power." Mrs Chadwick glanced towards John Musgrave, seated erect in his chair, conversing seriously with the vicar's bored little wife; then her eyes wandered back to Belle's face and rested there affectionately. "You have set me something of a task," she said. "But I am going to attempt it." Walter Errol laughed softly. "Since I possess already unshakable faith in your sex," he said, "I predict enormous changes. `Ce n'est pas une simple emeute, c'est un revolution.'" CHAPTER FIVE. Mrs Chadwick's purpose in coming to Moresby was not concerned only, or even chiefly, with the interior decoration of the Hall, which was kept, as far as the squire's means permitted, in very good order both inside and out. There was a certain amount of work to be done, and Mrs Chadwick purposed having a voice in this, as in other things; but her presence was more concerned with the home farm than with the palatial residence she intended to occupy. The home farm came within the range of her scheme for the development of women's energies.