“As if that would help us in any way.”

“Precisely.  She has probably come home with her head full of queer-fangled notions which would be out of keeping with our institutions.  Just the reason why she shouldn’t be chosen.  We are greatly troubled as to the result, dear, for though we expect to win, the prejudice of some men against voting for a woman under any circumstances will operate against our candidate, so that this action of the Reform Club may possibly be the means of electing one of the men on the Republican ticket instead of Luella.  Miss Snow hasn’t the ghost of a chance.  But that isn’t all.  These Reform Club nominations are preliminary to a bill before the Legislature to take away from the people the right to elect members of the school committee, and substitute an appointive board of specialists to serve during long terms of good behavior.  As Mr. Lyons says, that’s the real issue involved.  It’s quixotic and it isn’t necessary.  Haven’t we always prided ourselves on our ability to keep our public schools the best in the world?  And is there any doubt, Selma, that either you or I would be fully qualified to serve on the School Board though we haven’t made any special study of primers and geographies?  Luella Bailey hasn’t had any special training, but she’s smart and progressive, and the poor thing would like the recognition.  We fixed on her because we thought it would help her to get ahead, for she has not been lucky in obtaining suitable employment.  As Mr. Lyons says, a serious principle is involved.  He has come out strong against the movement and declares that it is a direct menace to the intelligence of the plain people of the United States and a subtle invasion of their liberties.”

“Mr. Lyons?  What Mr. Lyons is that?”

“Yes, dear, it is the same one who managed your affair.  Your Mr. Lyons.  He has become an important man since you left Benham.  He speaks delightfully, and is likely to receive the next Democratic nomination for Congress.  He is in accord with all liberal movements, and a foe of everything exclusive, unchristian or arbitrary.  He has declared his intention to oppose the bill when it is introduced, and I shall devote myself body and soul to working against it in case Luella Bailey is defeated.  It is awkward because Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Institute, though she doesn’t often come, and the club has never been in politics.  But here when there was a chance to do Luella Bailey a good turn, and I’d been able through some of my newspaper friends to get her on the ticket, it seems to me positively unchristian—­yes, that’s the word—­to try to keep her off the board.  There are some things of course, Luella couldn’t do—­and if the position were superintendent of a hospital, for instance, I dare say that special training would be advantageous, though nursing can be picked up very rapidly by a keen intelligence:  but to raise such objections in regard to a candidate for the School Board seems to me ridiculous as well as cruel.  What we need there are open, receptive minds, free from fads and prejudice—­wide-awake, progressive enthusiastic intellects.  It worries me to see the Institute dragged into politics, but it is my duty to resist this undemocratic movement.”