and the mass of girlhood and womanhood, beautiful, strong, healthful,
loving life, answer and say, "We will not bow down, nor worship." When
that day comes--and it will come--the reign of the Twin Idols shall
cease.




VIII

THE GIRL WHO DRIFTS


More than two years have passed since I met one of the girls returning
from a girls' conference where the depths of her nature, unstirred
before had been touched and quickened into life. A passion to serve had
been awakened in her and as she told me of her new visions and desires I
confess that I feared for her. Here she was, the embodiment of all the
charm and power of youth with a soul on fire to accomplish great things,
and the temperament which does _not_ accomplish great things. When the
train stopped she was met by her father, a keen, common sense, average
business man who often expressed the wish that his daughter would "get
busy and do something." She went home to a mother large hearted and
self-sacrificing, proud of her attractive daughter and doing so much for
her that little remained for her to do for herself. On Sunday she went
to a formal, dignified, self-satisfied church; she attended a
Sunday-school where the teacher made the lesson interesting without
requiring much from the girls; she spent the afternoon with a book, the
piano, and the relatives and friends who came to call. Church, home,
friends, seemed content with her just as she was. She meant to do so