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“Nothing is cheaper than the minds of some of these children that come in and bother me simply because their mothers don't keep them home where they belong. Some librarians may choose to be so wishy-washy and turn their libraries into nursing-homes and kindergartens, but as long as I'm in charge, the Gopher Prairie library is going to be quiet and decent, and the books well kept!”

Carol saw that the others were listening, waiting for her to be objectionable. She flinched before their dislike. She hastened to smile in agreement with Miss Villets, to glance publicly at her wrist-watch, to warble that it was “so late — have to hurry home — husband — such nice party — maybe you were right about maids, prejudiced because Bea so nice — such perfectly divine angel's-food, Mrs. Haydock must give me the recipe — good-by, such happy party —— ”

She walked home. She reflected, “It was my fault. I was touchy. And I opposed them so much. Only —— I can't! I can't be one of them if I must damn all the maids toiling in filthy kitchens, all the ragged hungry children. And these women are to be my arbiters, the rest of my life!”