Annie Kilburn

"Well, what's the reason?" Putney dropped into a chair and began to rock

nervously. "Don't be ashamed: we're _all_ selfish. Has Brandreth been

putting up any more jobs on you?"

"No, no! Only giving me a hint of his troubles and sorrows with those

wretched Social Union theatricals. Poor young fellow! I'm sorry for him. He

is really very sweet and unselfish. I like him."

"Yes, Brandreth is one of the most lady-like fellows I ever saw," said

Putney. "That Juliet business has pretty near been the death of him. I told

him to offer Miss Chapley some other part--Rosaline, the part of the young

lady who was dropped; but he couldn't seem to see it. Well, and how come on

the good works, Annie?"

"The good works! Ralph, tell me: _do_ people think me a charitable

person? Do they suppose I've done or can do any good whatever?" She looked

from Putney to his wife, and back again with comic entreaty.

"Why, aren't you a charitable person? Don't you do any good?" he asked.

"No!" she shouted. "Not the least in the world!"

"It is pretty rough," said Putney, taking out a cigar for a dry smoke; "and

nobody will believe me when I report what you say, Annie. Mrs. Munger is

telling round that she don't see how you can live through the summer at the

rate you're going. She's got it down pretty cold about your taking Brother

Peck's idea of the invited dance and supper, and joining hands with him to

save the vanity of the self-respecting poor. She says that your suppression

of that one unpopular feature has done more than anything else to promote

the success of the Social Union. You ought to be glad Brother Peck is

coming to the show."

"To the theatricals?"

Putney nodded his head. "That's what he says. I believe Brother Peck is

coming to see how the upper classes amuse themselves when they really try

to benefit the lower classes."

Annie would not laugh at his joke. "Ralph," she asked, "is it true that Mr.

Peck is so unpopular in his church? Is he really going to be turned

out--dismissed?"

"Oh, I don't know about that. But they'll bounce him if they can."

"And can nothing be done? Can't his friends unite?"

"Oh, they're united enough now; what they're afraid of is that they're not

numerous enough. Why don't you buy in, Annie, and help control the stock?

That old Unitarian concern of yours isn't ever going to get into running

order again, and if you owned a pew in Ellen's church you could have a vote

in church meeting, after a while, and you could lend Brother Peck your

moral support now."