Yorkburg as well as the people who were born here, but if more of us
took interest in the things she--"

"In Yorkburg, Mrs. Burnham, women are not supposed to take interest
in what are conceded to be the affairs of men."

Mrs. Pryor was withering in her disapproval, and this time Mrs. Corbin
touched Miss Matoaca's foot. "I suppose you allude to the streets of
Yorkburg, the schools, and library--and some other things. All these
Western and Northern ideas which Mary Cary has brought back are
very distasteful to the Virginians of historic ancestry. We have gotten
on very well for many centuries without women meddling in men's matters.
I have good authority for what I say. It is unscriptural. St. Paul says,
let the women keep silent and learn of their husbands at home!"

The door behind Mrs. Pryor's back had opened while she was talking,
and Miss Gibbie Gault, listening with her hand on the knob, tilted her
chin and screwed up her left eye so tightly that it seemed but a little
round hole, and at sight of it some of the ladies brightened visibly,
while others fidgeted in nervous apprehension of what might come.

Miss Gibbie came farther in the room, laid her bag and turkey-wing fan
on the table over which Mrs. Pryor was presiding, and, without a
good-morning to the others, took her seat and began the pulling-off of
her white cotton gloves.

"What's all this nonsense about St. Paul and women, Lizzie?" she began,
laying the gloves by the bag and taking up the fan. "I heard that last
remark, but Mr. Pryor didn't. Do you ever tell Mr. Pryor about St.
Paul's opinions? I hope, some of these eternal times, I am going to