She saw,
indeed, the Vision of Brave Women. "If it could only be like that for
me, Derry. Do you see--they go with their husbands, those women, and I
must stay behind."
"You will go with me, beloved, in spirit--"
They fell into silence before the limitless vista.
And now more people were coming up the stairs, a drawling, familiar
voice--Alma Drew on the landing below. With her a tall young man. She
was turning on him all her batteries of charm.
Alma passed the picture and did not look at it, she passed the lovers
and did not see them. And she was saying as she passed, "I don't know
why any man should be expected to fight. I shouldn't if I were a man."
Jean drew a long breath. "There, but for the grace of God, goes Jean
McKenzie."
Derry laughed. "You were never like that. Not for the least minute.
You were afraid for the man you loved. It isn't fear with Alma."
But the thought of Alma did not trouble them long. There was too much
else in their world today. As they walked through the historic halls,
they had with them all the romance of the past--and so Robert Fulton
with his boats, Pere Marquette with his cross and beads, Frances
Willard in her strange old-fashioned dress spoke to them of the dreams
which certain inspired men and women have translated into action.
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