a child into the world, suffering for it, caring for it, loving it,
without learning the value of human life, could she? War comes about
because human life is the cheapest thing in the world; it has been
taken at man's estimate, and that is entirely too low. Now, we have
been wondering what can be done when this war is over to form a league
of women to enforce peace. There is enough sentiment in the world in
favor of human life if we could bind it up some way."

I gazed at the eager faces before me--in astonishment. Did I ever hear
high-browed ladies in distant cities talk of the need of education in
the country districts?

"Well-kept homes and hand-knit socks will never save the world," said
Alex's mother. "Look at Germany! The German women are kind, patient,
industrious, frugal, hard-working, everything that a woman ought to
be, but it did not save them, or their country, and it will not save
us. We have allowed men to have control of the big things in life too
long. While we worked--or played--they have ruled. My nearest neighbor
is a German, and she and I have talked these things over. She feels
just the same as we do, and she sews for our Red Cross. She says she
could not knit socks for our soldiers, for they are enemies, but she
makes bandages, for she says wounded men are not enemies, and she is
willing to do anything for them. She wanted to come to-day to hear
you, but her husband would not let her have a horse, because he says
he does not believe in women speaking in public, anyway! I wanted her
to come with us even if he did not like it, but she said that she
dared not."

"Were you not afraid of making trouble?" I asked.