I only want to make it a finer existence, more worth the struggle, in which the best man shall rise to the top.

Your 'universal security'-- that will be the last act of the human drama, the cue for ringing down the curtain." "But do not all our Isms work towards that end ?" suggested Madge.
Joan was about to reply when the maid's announcement of "Mrs.Denton" postponed the discussion.
Mrs.Denton was a short, grey-haired lady.

Her large strong features must have made her, when she was young, a hard-looking woman; but time and sorrow had strangely softened them; while about the corners of the thin firm mouth lurked a suggestion of humour that possibly had not always been there.

Joan, waiting to be introduced, towered head and shoulders above her; yet when she took the small proffered hand and felt those steely blue eyes surveying her, she had the sensation of being quite insignificant.

Mrs.Denton seemed to be reading her, and then still retaining Joan's hand she turned to Madge with a smile.
"So this is our new recruit," she said.