There were no announcements of society meetings for the forthcoming week . On the way home from church that day irate husbands and fathers scolded , argued , or pleaded , according to their several dispositions . One and all met with the same calm statement that if a noble , self-sacrificing woman like Mrs. Cotterell were not good enough to speak in the Putney church , ordinary , everyday women could not be fit to take any part whatever in its work . Sunday School that afternoon was a harrowing failure . Out of all the corps of teachers only one was a man , and he alone was at his post . In the Christian Endeavour meeting on Tuesday night the feminine element sat dumb and unresponsive . The Putney women never did things by halves . The men held out for two weeks . At the end of that time they `` happened '' to meet at the manse and talked the matter over with the harassed minister . Elder Knox said gloomily , `` It 's this way . Nothing can move them women . I know , for I 've tried . My authority has been set at naught in my own household . And I 'm laughed at if I show my face in any of the other settlements . '' The Sunday School superintendent said the Sunday School was going to wrack and ruin , also the Christian Endeavour . The condition of the church for dust was something scandalous , and strangers were making a mockery of the singing . And the carpet had to be paid for . He supposed they would have to let the women have their own way . The next Sunday evening after service Mr. Sinclair arose hesitatingly . His face was flushed , and Alethea Craig always declared that he looked `` just plain everyday cross . ''
He announced briefly that the session after due deliberation had concluded XXXXX Mrs. Cotterell might occupy the pulpit on the evening appointed for her address .
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