clean-shaven face. Moreover, he preached well in his own vigorous
fashion.

On this occasion he was engaged in denouncing the vices and pettiness of
modern woman--upper-class modern woman--of whom he knew nothing at
all, a topic that appealed to an East End congregation. He showed how
worthless was this luxurious stamp of females, what a deal they thought
of dress and of other more evil delights. He compared them to the
Florentines whom Savonarola (in his heart Thomas saw resemblances
between himself and that great if narrow man) scourged till they wept in
repentance and piled up their jewels and fripperies to be burned.

What do they do with their lives, he asked. Is there one in ten thousand
of them who would abandon her luxuries and go forth to spread the light
in the dark places of earth, or would even pinch herself to support
others who did? And so on for thirty minutes.

Dorcas, listening and, reflecting on her stepmother, thought how
marvellously true it all was. Had he known her personally, which so far
as she was aware was not the case, the preacher could not have described
her better. Also it was certain that Mrs. Humphreys and her friends had
not the slightest intention of spreading any kind of light, unless it
were that of their own eyes and jewels, or of going anywhere to do so,
except perhaps to Monte Carlo in the spring.

How noble too was the picture he painted of the life of self-sacrifice
and high endeavour that lay open to her sex. She would like to lead
that higher life, being in truth a good-hearted little thing full of
righteous impulses; only unfortunately she did not know how, for her
present mild and tentative efforts had been somewhat disappointing in