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for nothing to put over the door outside to let people know where we are. And there are carters to arrange for. One of you borrow a broom while I get something started.”

After which curt order she left the room in search of a telephone.

She returned within a few minutes. Mrs. Langham and her old friends were still grouped in the centre of the unswept floor. They fell silent as the girl re-entered.

Patricia spoke directly to Mrs. Langham.

“I’ve arranged for trestles and tables. We need them for sorting and packing. The carter will be here with them in half-an-hour. Two wholesale firms are sending packing cases by their own trucks. Two signs, one for the outer door and one for this, will be in place before lunch-time. I have ’phoned advertisements to the News and the Herald, who are inserting them free of charge. The next thing to be done———”

Mrs. Langham, despite her good resolutions, interrupted angrily.

“This is not the way to proceed, Miss Weybourn. If you had had any experience in public affairs you would know that it is for the committee as a whole to make whatever arrangements may be deemed necessary. I very much resent your usurpation of my position, as also do my old friends, who———”

“If you had had any experience of real necessity, Mrs. Langham, you would know that this is a time for actions rather than foolish discussion,” interrupted Patricia in her turn. “Please continue your dissection of my character, ladies and gentlemen, while I go and hunt for a broom.”

She flashed a contemptuous glance over the astonished and embarrassed group and again left the room.

That first day was a memorable one for No. 2 Committee. Mrs. Langham and her old friends did more real work for charity than they had done in all their long careers of voluntary public service.