Page:Restless Earth.djvu/139

Patricia followed, smiling maliciously.

Mrs. Langham, having seated herself with the aid of one of the elderly subdued men, frowned angrily when she glanced up to find the girl confronting her.

“Well?” she snapped, registering her approval of her committee’s attitude by quick glances to right and left and a meaning lift of her upper lip. “Is there something else?”

“I am awaiting the committee’s instructions, Mrs. Langham,” answered Patricia, with a provocative smile. “This is not the moment for snobbishness, and you cannot refuse offers of help, no matter how thickly they come.”

“Indeed?”’ asked Mrs. Langham, with a short laugh.

“Indeed, Mrs. Langham,” affirmed the girl. “You see, this is not your private earthquake. It is the concern of every one of us. I insist on doing my share to help.”

“A commendable resolve, Miss Weybourn,” said Mrs. Langham tartly. “I am sure you will be able to find many who will value your services. I regret that Mr. Harley is not here to-night. I felt sure that we might depend upon his services. I’m sure he———.”

Patricia flushed, and restrained her anger with difficulty.

“As No. 2 Committee will have control of the area in which I live, I claim the right to assist it, Mrs. Langham,” she interrupted in a cold, level voice.

“No. 2 Committee thanks you, Miss Weybourn, and regrets that it cannot use you,” replied Mrs. Langham with icy finality. “Good-night!”

Idlers in the vicinity, sensing an interesting development, drifted in the direction of the No. 2 Committee. The chairman of the meeting interrupted an argument by the secretary with a slight gesture, and nodded in the direction of Mrs. Langham. The secretary looked in that direction with