“We are such a charming group, of the very best people in town, such delightful social affairs and marvelous lectures by the greatest men on all the subjects of the day. One gets such a clear idea of all the great themes of the day, political, psychological, literary, stated in such simple terms that the most dense can really understand. It’s wonderful what that club has done for me. They even take up religion now and then, though not too seriously, because there are members from all denominations, and of course we wouldn’t allow anything that would antagonize anyone. But it’s just too delightful. You haven’t attended in some time, I take it.”

“Why no, I haven’t,” admitted the woman gently, “but of course I know a great deal about it, and I often see the notices of your program.”

“Well, since you haven’t been in some time, I don’t think you ought to decide without going again, do you? Why can’t you go over with me tonight and just sample it? You wouldn’t have any trouble getting in, of course, if you find you want to join again, since you were a charter member. They would just jump at the chance of getting you. Can’t you go tonight? Of course, we usually have our club meetings in the afternoon, but this evening, on account of its being an anniversary, we voted to have it in the evening, and they were hoping to get charter members. Will you go with me tonight?”

“Oh, I couldn’t, not tonight,” said Mrs. Madison. “I have another engagement.”

“Oh, break it then, and come with me. Please do!”

Mrs. Harmon was almost surprised at herself, coaxing this hitherto despised neighbor to go to her precious club, but since she had been in the room she had been noting a number of tasteful, expensive things about the house that astonished her. The handsome antique rugs, the tasteful antique furniture, lovely bits of decoration, the china closet through whose glass doors she caught glimpses of priceless dishes and quaint silver such as she had longed in vain to possess. And also, since this woman had been a charter member, why, of course, she must be far more worthwhile than she had ever dreamed.

But Mrs. Madison just smiled and answered quietly.

“I’m sure it is very sweet of you to ask me, but it would be quite impossible for me to go anywhere tonight. We have our Bible study class at the church tonight, and I never miss that.”

“Oh, only a Bible class? Why, of course you can miss a Bible class. You mean you teach a class of children the Bible? How self-sacrificing of you. But surely you could get a substitute to teach them just for once.”

“Oh, I don’t teach,” laughed Mrs. Madison. “We have one of the best-known Bible teachers in the country. He is much sought after and has eighteen Bible classes a week, besides his church, which he serves as pastor on the other side of the city. And it isn’t children. It is grown people. Perhaps you’ll come with me sometime and visit? I assure you, he is interesting!”

“Oh, thank you, but I don’t really think I’d be interested. I always thought the Bible was frightfully dull. I don’t see how you get people out in the evening just for Bible study.”

“Well, we do. Our room is more than full, and it is so interesting we have to turn the lights out to make the people go home.”

“Why, the perfect idea! Perhaps I might come sometime just out of curiosity, if it were in the daytime. But my evenings are always so full. We always go to a play or go dancing, or to some dinner when my husband is at home, and he just doesn’t see having me go off without him.