“I do not know what you mean by my little set,” said Pauline with a smile.  “I am too busy with my college duties to belong to any set.  I see my friends occasionally just as you see yours; and as to progress—­well, I fear that you are right in your statement that we shall never look at things alike.  To me progress presupposes in the individual or the community attaining it a prelude of slow struggle, disheartening doubts, and modest reverence for previous results—­for the accumulated wisdom of the past.”

“I mean by your set the people who think as you do.  I understand your point of view.  I should have liked,” she added, “to ask you to share with me the responsibility of directing the policy of the Benham Free Hospital, had I not known that you would listen to the voice of conservative authority in preference to that of fearless innovation.”

“I certainly should have hesitated long before I overruled the experience of those who have devoted their lives to conscientious effort to discover truth.”

“That illustrates admirably the difference between us, Pauline.  No one is more eager to aid the discovery of truth than I, but I believe that truth often is concealed from those who go on, day after day, following hum-drum routine, however conscientious.  I recognized that Dr. Ashmun was a live man and had fresh ideas, so I chose him as our chief of staff, notwithstanding the doctors were unfriendly to him.  As a result, my hospital has individuality, and is already a success.  That’s the sort of thing I mean.  Good-by,” she said, putting out her hand.  “I don’t expect to convert you, Pauline, to look at things my way, but you must realize by this time that it is the Benham way.”

“Yet the leading physicians of Benham disapprove of your plans for the management of the hospital,” said Pauline firmly.

“But the people of Benham approve of them.  I prefer their sanction to that of a coterie of cautious, unenthusiastic autocrats.”

Selma, true to her intentions, did not return to Washington with her husband when Congress reassembled in December.  While she was absorbed with her philanthropic plans in Benham, Lyons was performing his public duties; seeking to do the country good service, and at the right moment to attract attention to himself.  The opportunity to make a speech along the line of his public professions in behalf of labor against corporate monopoly did not offer itself until late in the session.  He improved the few minutes allowed him to such advantage that he was listened to with close attention, and was at once recognized as one of the persuasive and eloquent speakers of the minority.  Before Congress adjourned he obtained another chance to take part in debate, by which he produced an equally favorable impression.  The newspapers of the country referred approvingly to his cogent gift of statement and dignified style of delivery.  Both the bills against which he spoke were passed by the Republican majority, but