“Comrades, that settles the matter without further action or discussion,” said the president, bringing her gavel down with an imperative stroke; for this last announcement had created a breezy flutter among the mischief-brewers, who had planned to have “great sport” a fortnight hence.

“And now,” observed Katherine, again rising and addressing the chair with charming frankness, “I stand ready to prepare an article upon any other subject which the committee may assign me.”

“Is the committee ready with another topic?” the president inquired.

That body conferred together for several minutes, after which the chairman stated with ill-concealed mirth, which appeared to be contagious, that a paper on “Transcendentalism” would be expected from Miss Minturn a fortnight from that night.

As she sat down titters and giggles were audible in various parts of the room, and Miss Walton’s mallet again fell heavily upon the table, while she looked both distressed and indignant.

Before she could speak, however, a tall, handsome girl sprang to her feet and turned to her with blazing eyes.

“Lady President,” she began, in a clear, ringing tone, “I rise to express my disapproval of the proceedings of this business meeting.  While I am not at all in sympathy with the subject that has been broached here this evening, I believe in fair play, and that an insult offered to anyone because of her religious belief should not for a moment be tolerated.  I shall feel justified in withdrawing from the league if such discourteous treatment is continued.  And”—­glancing at Katherine—­“I also wish to express my admiration for Miss Minturn for so bravely standing by her colors.  She might have shielded herself behind Prof.  Seabrook’s injunction in the first place and so settled the matter at once; but she made it a question of conscience for a cause that she loves, and was not afraid to say so.  And now, I move that, if the last-named topic is distasteful to her, she be allowed to choose one for herself.”

A profound hush had fallen upon the room during this spirited speech, and at its close there was a vigorous applause from a few of her listeners, showing something of a reaction of feeling in favor of Katherine, who observed, however, with a pang at her heart, that her roommate, Sadie, was not among the number.

“Is Miss Felton’s motion seconded?” queried the president, with a smile and nod of approval at that young lady.

Katherine, who had been doing some rapid thinking during the last few minutes, was on her feet again before anyone could speak.

“Lady President, pray allow me to thank Miss Felton most heartily for her kind espousal of my cause,” she said, bestowing a luminous smile upon her new friend, “but I would be very sorry to have any unpleasantness arise in the league, and may I ask that no further action be taken in the matter?  I know that many people have a mistaken idea of what Christian Science is, and regard it and its adherents with feelings that are regretted when they become more enlightened on the subject.  And now”—­a mirthful gleam in her brown eyes—­“let me add that I cheerfully accept the last-named subject assigned me, and will do my best to elucidate it for the benefit of the club at our next meeting.”