glad, and she choked back the sob that struggled and fought in her throat.
The meeting never got beyond a certain constraint. The Congressman made an excellent speech; there were various sets of figures read by the workers; and Miss Wynn added a touch of spice by several pertinent questions and comments.
Then, as the meeting broke up and Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell came forward to speak to Zora, Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool managed to find herself near Miss Wynn and to be introduced.
They exchanged a few polite phrases, fencing delicately to test the other’s wrist and interest. They touched on the weather, and settlement work; but Miss Wynn did not propose to be stranded on the Negro problem.
‚ÄúI suppose the next bit of excitement will be in the inauguration,‚Äù she said to Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool.
‚ÄúI understand it will be unusually elaborate,‚Äù returned Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool, a little surprised at the turn. Then she added pleasantly: ‚ÄúI think I shall see it through, from speech to ball.‚Äù
“Yes, I do usually,” Miss Wynn asserted, adjusting her furs.
Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool was further surprised. Did colored people attend the ball?
“We sorely need a national ballroom,” she said. “Isn’t the census building wretched?”
“I do not know,” smiled Miss Wynn.
‚ÄúOh, I thought you said‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù