The Old Maids' Club. Israel Zangwill

of a Charity Concert."

      I looked disappointed. "What a pity! It would have been such a nice precedent to improve the tone of the Church. The 'constant readers' would have had to cease their letters."

      "No, no, impossible. A 'constant reader' seems to be so called because he is a constant writer."

      "But there might have been leaders about it."

      "Hardly sensational enough for that! Stay I have an idea. In the beautiful Ages of Faith, when a Church-bell was being cast, the pious used to bring silver vessels to be fused with the bell-metal in the furnace, so as to give the bell a finer tone. A mediæval practice is always so poetical. Perhaps I could revive it. My congregation is so very good."

      "Good!" I echoed, clapping my hands. "But a Concert will not suffice—we shall need a Bazaar," said the preacher.

      "Oh, but I must have a Concert!"

      "Certainly Bazaars include Concerts."