Page:O Genteel Lady! (1926).pdf/64

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'No,' she laughed nervously, 'but Captain Poggy is in New York.'

Mr. Fox peered through the sidelights. 'I see—it's a party. Of course I do not wish to intrude.'

'Come inside for a moment,' she whispered, with the instincts of cordiality, but conscious of betrayal.

Mr. Fox would not sympathize. He was an earthly man. He whispered:

'They're Miss Pauline's females out for their rights! Is that it? And Captain Poggy is in New York.' Then added out loud, 'Oh, my God! Well, all I want is a glass of the Captain's Nautilus Madeira. I'm planning to read his "Salem Witchcraft" to-night and must strengthen myself for the endeavor.'

'Shhh. Can't you hear Mrs. Morgan talking about women's work in temperance? "We must demand," said a throaty voice, "the closing of the saloon; my sisters, if we must we can fight, and the Demon King, Alcohol, will need all of our fighting to dethrone him, to cast him down, each working in her own way, all working together, but the beginning of the end—is it now?"'

'Can men go to this thing?' asked Mr. Fox, his prominent brown eyes agog with interest.

'Yes, but—'

'Trust me.'

He seated himself on the wide window-sill and gestured her to join him. The crimson curtains of the bay window partially cut them off from the rest of the room.

Until Miss Meminta Purse began to speak, he