ROLLIN. (Stretches out on couch.) How about the day you brought Loreen home, with everybody on the boulevard staring at you and grandmother so angry! You were not very happy. Doubted if you had done a wise thing, didn't you?

VIRGINIA.-(Picks up work from work table and seats herself in rocker.) It is true. I did wonder if I had used good judgment, but I acted as I thought my pledge required and the result has justified me, though it troubles me even now to think that in a way I turned grandmother out.

ROLLIN.—You are too sensitive about that. Grandmother is independently wealthy, and able to live wherever she pleases. She had a delightful trip with the Wrights last summer.

Now she is much happier in the south with her brother than here under the changed conditions, and you are free to live the life you think right. VIRGINIA.—It does me so much good to talk things over with you, Rollin. Some of our pledge-takers get no sympathy whatever from their own families.

ROLLIN.—Poor Powers! His wife and daughter have made things anything but pleasant for him.

VIRGINIA. I was thinking of him when I said we were too happy. Think of the sacrifice he made!

ROLLIN.-(Sits up and speaks energetically.) Celia and her mother care absolutely nothing about his motives or the great serv ice he rendered the state. The loss of their money and social position was everything to them.

VIRGINIA.—And it was such a splendid thing. I would have been proud of him if he had been my father; I would not have minded if he dug ditches and I had to scrub floors

ROLLIN. (Laughing, gets up and walks.) I cannot quite imagine either you or Celia scrubbing floors. Any way, I am glad no one has made it necessary in your case.

VIRGINIA.—Mr. Powers has brought no real hardship on his family. They will not suffer except through their foolish pride. ROLLIN.—Of course not. I was only laughing a little at your

excitement.

VIRGINIA.—And then there is Rachel. Her mother has never

quite forgiven her for refusing the concert offer. (Rollin goes R of table and fingers a book.) It is very hard for her. She is going to give lessons in the city and let the people in the Rectangle have the benefit of her voice.

ROLLIN. (Indifferently.) Is she?

VIRGINIA. She is really sacrificing a brilliant musical caree to give her whole life to the people!

ROLLIN. (Stiffly.) Certainly a very good example of self sac

rifice.

VIRGINIA.—But don't you think it a very unusual example? ROLLIN.—Perhaps so. (Turns his back and goes to bookcase. VIRGINIA.—Rollin, why do you treat her in such a distant, pre cise manner? You used to be on easy terms. (Rollin does not re ply. Virginia watches him a moment and a new thought seems to come to her. She goes to him and puts her hand on his arm.) Forgive me, Rollin, if I have given you pain. I did not know—I thought (Looks earnestly at him.)

ter.)

ROLLIN. (Puts his arm around her and they walk down cen So you never guessed my secret? I asked Rachel to be my wife that day we talked about her refusal to join the opera troupe. (Stops suddenly)

VIRGINIA.—I don't understand. I was sure she—

ROLLIN. (Interrupting.) She refused,--said I had no purpose in life, which was true enough. Now I have a purpose, now I am a new man, don't you see, Virginia, how impossible it is for me to say anything?

VIRGINIA.—No, Rollin, why?

ROLLIN.—I went to the Rectangle meetings at first to see and hear her, and yet, I can honestly say, that on that night the world was made over for me, I never thought of her voice except as God's message.

VIRGINIA. Do you still love her, Rollin?

ROLLIN.—Better than ever, but I think she can never love me. VIRGINIA.—I don't know about that. I cannot think of two

people better fitted for each other.

ROLLIN.—She does not think so.

VIRGINIA.—You are a man now, very different from the careless boy you were six months ago.

ROLLIN.—If it is so, the thought of winning her had nothing to do with the change. I cannot let it appear so to her.

VIRGINIA.—Rachel is too just and clear sighted not to know the truth. I wish you would try to be perfectly natural with her as you used to be.

ROLLIN.—I don't mean to avoid her, but I cannot seek occasions for meeting her. It would destroy my self control.

VIRGINIA. (Takes both his hands in hers pleadingly.) Rollin! ROLLIN. (Smiles but shakes his head.) Thank you, dear, for your kind wishes, but it is no use. I can do nothing. I will go down town now and see if there is any election news. I'll return soon. (Exit.)

(Virginia seats herself in arm chair and picks up her book, but lets it drop idly in her lap and seems to be thinking deeply. Loreen appears at R. D. simply but tastefully dressed.)

LOREEN.—Is there anything else I can do, Miss Virginia?

VIRGINIA.—I don't think of anything else just now. Come in, dear, and let us talk awhile. (Loreen enters and Virginia reaches out her hand and draws her to a low seat beside her.) You are so untiring it is difficult to keep you employed, but I am going into some new work and there will be plenty for you. I shall have to be careful you do not do too much. I fear you are not very strong even yet. (Looks at her affectionately.)

LOREEN.-(Looks at Virginia adoringly.)

Oh, I am strong now, Miss Virginia, and if I can do anything that will really help you I shall be so glad. You only let me work now to make me feel myself useful.

VIRGINIA.-(Laughing.)

You are a terribly sharp-sighted little person, Loreen, but you do a great deal for me that you don't know anything about.

LOREEN.—Oh, Miss Virginia! I can do nothing—nothing for you who have done everything for me.

VIRGINIA.—Listen, dear. You have done more for me than I have ever done for you.

LOREEN.—What can you mean? You took me in all my sin and filth and misery into your own home. You put me in that lovely room. I didn't know there was such a place in the world. There was a beautiful picture of Christ walking on the sea. I think if it had not been for that picture I should have run away as soon as I could. The sad, beautiful eyes seemed to hold me till I got a little used to this wonderful new place. Then you nursed me and watched over me till I loved you so I could not leave you. Oh, what could I ever do for you like that?

VIRGINIA.—But living in a fine house and sleeping in a beautiful room is not the best, Loreen.

LOREEN.—No—no—You have been my friend. You have taught me to say it. You woke me up to another life. When I think of what I was what you saved me from—Oh my friend! (Drops her head in Virginia's lap.)

VIRGINIA. (Puts her arms around her.) Yes, Loreen, you are my friend; and you have waked me up to a new life, also. When I think of what I was a year ago, I loathe myself. I was the most selfish, useless, wicked person in the world. And there was no excuse for me, as there was so abundantly for you.

LOREEN.—Hush, hush—I cannot hear you say that.

VIRGINIA.—No—no—We will not talk of the past any more. Let us look to the future. I have some great plans in my head that you are largely responsible for, Loreen.

LOREEN. [Incredulously.) How can that be?

VIRGINIA.—You have told me so much about life and conditions in the Rectangle that the plans formed themselves. LOREEN.—Can you tell me of them?

VIRGINIA. Yes, indeed, for you are to help me carry them out. (Door bell rings.)

LOREEN (Most delightedly.) Oh, can I?

RACHEL (Speaking to James in hall): I will find her, James. (In doorway.) Am I intruding?

VIRGINIA.-(Going to meet her as she comes down center.) No, indeed. You can never do that! (Kisses her, helps her off with jacket and lays it on library table.)

RACHEL.—No, dear, I will not take off my hat. I can stay only a short time. (Goes to Loreen who has risen but not advanced to meet her) How do do, Loreen? (Takes her hand and puts one arm affectionately around her.) What a pretty new dress! LOREEN. (Pleased.) Do you like it?

VIRGINIA.—She made every bit of it herself. Didn't she do

well?

RACHEL —I should think so! I would be as proud as a peacock if I could do it.

VIRGINIA.—I am so glad you to tell Loreen of some new plans

came, Rachel. I was just about Rollin and I have made. RACHEL.—Oh, tell us quick. I love new plans.

VIRGINIA. Some time ago I bought a block of land in the Rectangle, simply because it was cheap, and I thought it a good investment. In the last six months it has increased greatly in value.

It's so valuable I

RACHEL.—Then it was a good investment? VIRGINIA.—One of the best I ever made. don't believe anyone has money enough to buy it. RACHEL.—Virginia! How can land in the Rectangle be worth

so much.

VIRGINIA.

-

(Laughs.) Only because it is worth so much to I have a use for it. Rollin and I are going to start settlement houses there. It is the very spot.

me.

RACHEL.—But Virginia! It will take a fortune and you have just put so much into the News!

VIRGINIA. I have about $450,000 I can put into it and Rollin has as much more. It will mean your

RACHEL (With gesture of astonishment.) entire fortune!

VIRGINIA.—Can you think of any place where it is more needed? RACHEL.—No, but you take my breath away.

VIRGINIA.—I don't want to do that for I have your work all laid out for you.

RACHEL.—Oh, I'll sing at all your social functions,—never fear. VIRGINIA. You are to do more than sing, Rachel; you are to make singers. We will have a musical institute and you shall be the head.

RACHEL.-(Slowly.) What a magnificent scheme!

VIRGINIA. You shall have everything,—the best instruments money can buy. What cannot be done with music to win souls into a purer, higher living!

RACHEL.—Yes, yes. What an opportunity! I will gladly give my whole life to it. What a delight it will be. (Loreen has been listening intently but looks sad and discouraged. Rachel turns to her.) Isn't it splendid, Loreen? How we shall enjoy it.

LOREEN.-(Sadly.) I have no money and I don't know anything. I can't do anything. (The girls go and put their arms around her.)

VIRGINIA. Yes, you can, dear. ant than even Rachel's music.

Something much more import

LOREEN.-(Amazed.) What can you mean?

VIRGINIA.—Rachel, do you know, Loreen has a perfect genius for cooking? Mary has taken her in hand, and she says Loreen surpasses her teacher. We have had eatable proof of that.

RACHEL.—Yes, indeed! Wasn't I here to lunch last week? VIRGINIA.—It's no small talent, let me tell you, Loreen. LOREEN.—I love to cook things you like, but I did so hope I could help in your Rectangle plans.

VIRGINIA.—Indeed you shall. We will have a school of domestic science. And you shall teach them to cook. Half the sins

and ills of humanity are due to bad cooking.

LOREEN.—I can see now, how the folks in the Rectangle waste and spoil their food. I could help them, couldn't I?

VIRGINIA. And you shall have a model kitchen, just as per

fect in its way as Rachel's conservatory.

RACHEL.—O girls, it is just like a story book. we begin? (They join hands and swing around gaily.)

When can

VIRGINIA.—I am going to see an architect tomorrow, and we will begin building as soon as possible. (Stops suddenly.) Oh, if it were not for those saloons! Sometimes it seems as though it were no use so long as they are there. RACHEL. (Sitting in arm chair.) suppose there is any chance we will win? VIRGINIA.-(Brings rocker down C.)

It is election day. Do you

Rollin says the chances

are so even no one can possibly forecast the outcome. LOREEN. (At sewing table.)

Do you think there will ever come a time when there will be no saloons in the Rectangle? VIRGINIA.—Yes, I believe the time must come. We will never quit the fight until it does.

LOREEN.—I cannot think of the Rectangle without saloons. VIRGINIA. We may not clear them out this time, but we will do it in time. We must do it.

RACHEL.—Mr. Norman's paper has had a greater influence on this election than any before, even if he has lost subscribers and money.

VIRGINIA.—Yes. We couldn't afford to lose the News. I shouldn't have thought it worth while to start the work in the Rectangle if we didn't have Mr. Norman to fight the saloons.

LOREEN.—I am afraid sometimes of the enemies you may make down there.

VIRGINIA. We have all been afraid or indifferent too long, or things would not be so bad as they are.

RACHEL.—Are we going to have a meeting tonight?

VIRGINIA.—Why, yes, I suppose so—I don't know.— (Enter Rollin R. E.)

ROLLIN. Good evening, Miss Winslow. (Shakes hands.)
VIRGINIA.—Are we, Rollin?

ROLLIN.—Are we what?

VIRGINIA.—Going to have a meeting tonight?

ROLLIN. (Standing near library table.) Yes, I was just speaking with Mr. Maxwell. He has decided to hold one.

RACHEL.—Do you know how the election is going?
ROLLIN.—No. It is a little early yet.

VIRGINIA.— (Rising.) It will soon be time to go.

Rachel,

please excuse me for a few minutes. Loreen and I have something to attend to.

RACHEL.-(Rising.)

calls for me.

I think I will go now. Dr. West always

VIRGINIA. He is coming here tonight and we can all go together. It will save time.

RACHEL. (Hesitates.) I think perhaps I better go.

VIRGINIA.—You would only get home and have to come right back again. (Gently forces her back in her chair.) Rollin will entertain you while we are gone. (Takes Loreen by hand and goes out. Rollin and Rachel seem embarrassed. Slight pause. Rachel takes magazine from table and fingers it. Rollin seats himself in rocker.)

ROLLIN. I suppose Virginia has been angle plans with you?

talking over her Rect