But I'm glad'-- she laughed scornfully--'that it's not my task to release them.' Mary Barfoot mused, a compassionate shadow on her fine face.
'I don't think we can do without the spirit of that religion,' she said at length--'the essential human spirit.

These poor women--one ought to be very tender with them.

I don't like your "ragged regiment" phrase.
When I grow old and melancholy, I think I shall devote myself to poor hopeless and purposeless women--try to warm their hearts a little before they go hence.' 'Admirable!' murmured Rhoda, smiling.

'But in the meantime they cumber us; we have to fight.' She threw forward her arms, as though with spear and buckler.

Miss Barfoot was smiling at this Palladin attitude when a servant announced two ladies--Mrs.Smallbrook and Miss Haven.