"What is the matter, Zora?" Mrs. Vanderpool repeated.
Zora looked up, almost happily--standing poised on her feet as if to tell of strength and purpose.
"I have found the Way," she cried joyously.
Mrs. Vanderpool gave her a long searching look.
"Where have you been?" she asked. "I've been waiting."
"I'm sorry--but I've been--converted." And she told her story.
"Pshaw, Zora!" Mrs. Vanderpool uttered impatiently. "He's a fakir."
"Maybe," said Zora serenely and quietly; "but he brought the Word."
"Zora, don't talk cant; it isn't worthy of your intelligence."
"It was more than intelligent--it was true."
"Zora--listen, child! You were wrought up tonight, nervous--wild. You were happy to meet your people, and where he said one word you supplied two. What you attribute to him is the voice of your own soul."
But Zora merely smiled. "All you say may be true. But what does it matter? I know one thing, like the man in the Bible: 'Whereas I was blind now I see.'"
Mrs. Vanderpool gave a little helpless gesture. "And what shall you do?" she asked.
"I'm going back South to work for my people."
"When?" The old careworn look stole across Mrs. Vanderpool's features.
Zora came gently forward and slipped her arms lovingly about the other woman's neck.
"Not right off," she said gently; "not until I learn more. I hate to leave you, but--it calls!"
Mrs. Vanderpool held the dark girl close and began craftily:
"You see, Zora, the more you know the more you can do."
"And if you are determined I will see that you are taught. You must know settlement-work and reform movements; not simply here but--" she hesitated--"in England--in France."
"Will it take long?" Zora asked, smoothing the lady's hair.
Mrs. Vanderpool considered. "No--five years is not long; it is all too short."
"Five years: it is very long; but there is a great deal to learn. Must I study five years?"
"Zora, I am selfish I know, but five years truly is none too long. Then, too, Zora, we have work to do in that time."
"There is Alwyn's career," and Mrs. Vanderpool looked into Zora's eyes.
"Yes," she said slowly, "we must help him."
"The woman he loves," returned Zora, quietly.
"Yes--that is best," sighed Mrs. Vanderpool. "But how shall we help him?"
"Make him Treasurer of the United States without sacrificing his manhood or betraying his people."