Page:Adventures in Thrift (1916).djvu/130

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and the School for Housemaids!" exclaimed Mr. Larry. "May I have the honor of escorting you as far as the Hudson Terminal?"

"Indeed, you may!" answered Teresa Moore, the audacious. "And you may help the Cause by paying our fares—all of 'em."

"Delighted!" answered Mr. Larry, falling into step. "Especially as I expect these investigations to make a millionaire of me some day."

"You may laugh, but I firmly believe that in cooperation, or, at least, the cooperative store, lies our one sure hope of reducing the cost of living. It works two ways—it actually cuts down the price of foodstuffs, and it teaches the woman thrift through investment in stock. You know this has really been proved."

"No! Where?"

"In England. The International Cooperative Alliance was originally founded to reduce the cost of living for the underpaid working classes. From a sociological and economic experiment, it has grown to be the soundest and most democratic organization of its kind in the world, numbering among its shareholders men and women from all walks of society. Before