“Nonsense!” said Isabelle hotly.  “It is only those who cannot afford to take part, and think what a treat it is for them to look on!”

“A sort of half-price theatre,” said Louis with a sneer.

“I don’t believe they find the looking on such fun as you think,” said Marion, who was astonished at herself.  “Suppose you try if they wouldn’t like to take part and offer your place in the Cantata to Jemima Dobbs.”

“Well done, Sis!” and Louis applauded softly.

Isabelle’s lip curled.  “Upon my word, Marion, you bid fair to become as hot an anarchist as Louise Michel.  It is a mystery to me where you find out the Christian names of all the ungainly people in the congregation.  The other sopranos would feel complimented to have a prima-donna with a face like a full moon and hands like a blacksmith’s foisted upon them!  One must have a little regard for appearances,” and Isabelle drew her graceful figure up to its full height.

“Jemima Dobbs isn’t dynamite, and I have no anarchical tendencies,” persisted Marion stoutly,—­“but beauty is only skin deep, Isabelle.  She supports a sick mother and five children and that is more than any of the rest of us could do,” and Marion, frightened at her momentary temerity, shrank back into her shell.

“It is a most unaccountable thing, Lawrence,” said Mrs. Hildreth, “why the church should be so heavily encumbered.  I am sure you contribute handsomely and the pew rents are high.  There is always a large congregation.  I cannot understand.”

“It is largely composed of transients though, my dear, and they never carry more than a nickel in their pockets, so the weight of the burden falls upon a few.  The expenses are very heavy.  Jerome wants to make it the most popular church in the city, and the new quartette proves an extravagant luxury.”

“Oh, well,” said Mrs. Hildreth, “of course one cannot grudge the money for that.  Professional singing is such an attraction!  The way Madame Rialto took that high C last Sunday was superb.”

“Well,” said Isabelle, “I don’t think there is any doubt that Doctor Jerome is the most popular preacher in the city.  He is going to preach next Sunday on the moral progress of social sciences, and next month he commences his series of sermons on the social problems of the day.  He does take such an interest in sociology.”

“But why doesn’t he preach Jesus Christ?” asked Evadne wonderingly.

“You will get to be a regular fanatic, Evadne, if you ring the changes on that subject so often.  Doctor Jerome says he wants his people to have an intelligent idea of the progress of events.  Of course everyone understands the Bible.

“I do think he is the loveliest man!” she continued rapturously, “he is so sympathetic; and Celeste Follingsby says he is ’perfectly heavenly in affliction.’  Her little sister died last week, you know.  It is so awkward that it should have happened just now.  She will not be able to take any part in the Cantata, and she had the sweetest dress!”