Entering her motor, she drove near the address and then proceeded on foot. The street was a prominent one, the block one of the best, the house almost pretentious. She glanced at her memorandum again to see if she was mistaken. Perhaps the woman was a domestic; probably she was, for the name on the door was Stillings. It occurred to her that she had heard that name before--but where? She looked again at her memorandum and at the house.
She rang the bell, asking the trim black maid: "Is there a person named Caroline Wynn living in this house?"
The girl smiled and hesitated.
"Yes, ma'am," she finally replied. "Won't you come in?" She was shown into the parlor, where she sat down. The room was most interesting, furnished in unimpeachable taste. A few good pictures were on the walls, and Mrs. Cresswell was examining one when she heard the swish of silken skirts. A lady with gold brown face and straight hair stood before her with pleasant smile. Where had Mrs. Cresswell seen her before? She tried to remember, but could not.
"You wished to see--Caroline Wynn?"
"Yes."
"What can I do for you?"
Mrs. Cresswell groped for her proper cue, but the brown lady merely offered a chair and sat down silently. Mrs. Cresswell's perplexity increased. She had been planning to descend graciously but authoritatively upon some shrinking girl, but this woman not only seemed to assume equality but actually looked it. From a rapid survey, Mrs. Cresswell saw a black silk stocking, a bit of lace, a tailor-made gown, and a head with two full black eyes that waited in calmly polite expectancy.
Something had to be said.
"I--er--came; that is, I believe you sent a group to the art exhibit?"
"Yes."
"It was good--very good."
Miss Wynn said nothing, but sat calmly looking at her visitor. Mrs. Cresswell felt irritated.
"Of course," she managed to continue, "we are very sorry that we cannot receive it."
"Indeed? I understood it had taken the first prize."
Mrs. Cresswell was aghast. Who had rushed the news to this woman? She realized that there were depths to this matter that she did not understand and her irritation increased.
"You know that we could not give the prize to a--Negro."
"Why not?"
"That is quite immaterial. Social equality cannot be forced. At the same time I recognize the injustice, and I have come to say that if you will withdraw your exhibit you will be given a scholarship in a Boston school."
"I do not wish it."
"Well, what do you want?"
"I was not aware that I had asked for anything."