Will he be staying here, or has he a job in mind off somewhere? That always seems to be the next question.”

“No I think he will be at home for the present,” said the gentle mother voice, but giving no inkling of what he was going to do. And then smilingly commending the display in her neighbor’s garden, “I’ve been admiring your daffodils. They are gorgeous this year. It makes quite a picture for our benefit.”

“Daffodils? Oh, yes, well, they are rather luxuriant this year, aren’t they? But I never care so much for them. They always seemed to me rather common, just daffodils, but Mr. Harmon was always fond of them. He planted them, and we’ve just let them grow. They don’t demand much, and they are soon gone. Me, I rather like hyacinths better, but then one hasn’t had much time during these war years to make changes in the garden. I think next year I’ll try for some more sophisticated flowers. Azaleas are lovely and make such a darling splash of color, especially some of the new shades. Don’t you think so?”

“Yes, azaleas are lovely, too,” said Mrs. Madison, “but while they are here, I enjoy your daffodils.”

“Well, I’m glad somebody gets some good out of them, I’m sure, for frankly, I don’t care for them. But then, dear me, everybody can’t think alike. But I’m forgetting entirely the main thing that I came over for. You see, our Woman’s Club is making a drive for new members, just quietly, you know. Each one of us is trying to bring somebody we think would be an addition to our number, just the right kind of congenial people, you know, and I wanted to ask you if you wouldn’t be my new member. You never have been a member here, have you?”

“Oh, yes,” said Mrs. Madison serenely. “I believe I was one of the original members long ago. But I had to give it up and resign. I really couldn’t spare the time.”

“You mean you were a charter member, and you gave it up?” said the astonished caller, looking at the woman to whom she had been pleased to condescend with new respect. “But I don’t understand. What was wrong with the club? I suppose that must have been in its early days when things were rather crude. I can’t imagine any member being willing to resign now.”

“Oh, there was nothing wrong with the club,” said Mrs. Madison with a smile. “I just didn’t have the time to give to it. I was a young housekeeper with three little children, and my strength and my time were, of course, limited.”

“Oh,” said Mrs. Harmon, “what a pity! But you’re not hampered in that way now. Your daughters are both married, and you have a marvelous maid, I’ve heard.”

“No, I wouldn’t have the same reasons, but you see, other things have come in and taken my time, and my church work really takes all my extra time.”

“Oh, but you don’t know what wonderful times we have,” said the neighbor, waxing eloquent.