so to the back of her chair the president prayed in a very subdued
tone, and I knew _just when_ she was through by the little
rustle and moving of the chair as she arose. The secretary now read
the minutes, after which the president said, "Those in favor of the
minutes will signify it." Two or three hands went up. The treasurer's
report was then presented, but no action taken on it. Although this
was a large town there seemed to be no committees at work, but each
member had been furnished with a pledge book, in which to obtain
signatures. No one had any success to report, had quite forgotten it,
except the little woman mentioned. She produced her book where the
names of half-a-dozen were scrawled with a good thick pen and plenty
of ink. Her report was received in silence. The president, secretary,
and treasurer talked across the table in very low tones, the rest of
the company whispered a little, finally Mrs. ---- said, looking at
her watch, "My half-hour is more than up, I must go." She walked out,
followed by the young ladies. The low tones at the table ceased, the
books were closed, the ladies put on their extra wrappings and went
home. The little woman and I were left alone. "Will you let me see
your book?" I asked. "Oh yes," said she. "I got some of the young men
boarding with me to sign, and I hope they'll keep it. I pray they
may. I _thought_ the sisters would be glad. I wish I could do
more, but it does not seem worth while for _me_ to come to the
meetings. I cannot talk much, and I have so much to do at home. I can
work quietly there and among my acquaintances." As I passed the young
ladies on the way home, I overheard one say, "I am not going to the
Union meetings any more. Two or three do all the talking, and we
can't hear what they say." That evening, as I heard in my dream, the
president said to her husband, "I think once in two months is often
enough to hold our Union meetings. There seems to be nothing to do."
Then I thought, in my dream, that another year had passed, and I came