,,helen ,,grant',s ,,schooldays ,,books ,,by ,,amanda ,m4 ,,douglas ,,the ,,helen ,,grant ,,books ,,illustrated ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,schooldays #a4be ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,friends #a4be ,,helen ,,grant ,,at ,,aldred ,,house #a4be ,,helen ,,grant ,,in ,,college #a4be ,,helen ,,grant1 ,,senior #a4be ,,helen ,,grant1 ,,graduate #a4be ,,helen ,,grant1 ,,teacher #a4be ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,decision #a4be ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,harvest ,,year #a4be ,,almost ,,as ,,good ,,as ,a ,,boy4 ,illustrated by ,,bertha ,g4 ,,davidson #a4be ,,heroes ,,of ,,the ,,crusades4 ,fifty full-page ,illustrations from ,,gustave ,,dor #a4ej ,,larry 7,the #bjjj ,,prize ,,story7 #a4jj ,,the ,,kathie ,,stories4 ,six ,volumes4 ,illustrated4 ,per volume #a4jj ,,the ,,douglas ,,novels4 ,twenty-four ,volumes4 ,per vol4 #a4jj ,,lothrop1 ,,lee ,,shepard ,,co4 ,,boston ,illustration3 ,helen tells her dreams to the old apple tree4 7,frontispiece47 ,page #f4 ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,schooldays ,,by ,,amanda ,m4 ,,douglas ,author of ,in the ,king's ,country1 ,in ,trust1 ,larry1 ,the ,kathie ,stories1 ,almost as ,good as a ,boy1 etc4 ,,illustrated ,,by ,,amy ,,brooks ,illustration ,,boston ,,lothrop1 ,,lee ,,shepard ,,co4 ,published1 ,august1 #aijc ,,copyright1 #aijc1 ,,by ,,lee ,,and ,,shepard ,all rights reserved ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,schooldays ,norwood ,press ,,berwick ,,smith ,,co4 ,norwood1 ,mass4 ,u4,s4,a4 ,,contents ,,chapter ,,page ,i4 ,,helen1 #a ,,ii4 ,,an ,,excursion ,,to ,,hope1 #bj ,,iii4 ,,air ,,castles ,,with ,,foundations1 #da ,,iv4 ,,planting ,,of ,,small ,,seeds1 #fe ,v4 ,a ,,girl',s ,,dreams1 #hg ,,vi4 ,,how ,,they ,,all ,,planned1 #ajf ,,vii4 ,,successful1 #abg ,,viii4 ,,mrs4 ,,vandorn',s ,,winning ,,hand1 #adh ,,ix4 ,,different ,,standpoints1 #afi ,x4 ,,beginning ,,anew1 #aif ,,xi4 ,,school ,,in ,,earnest1 #bah ,,xii4 ,,the ,,courage ,,of ,,convictions1 #bch ,,xiii4 ,a ,,little ,,seed ,,sown1 #bfc ,,xiv4 ,,and ,,thorns ,,sprang ,,up1 #bhd ,,xv4 ,,betwixt ,,two1 #cjf ,,xvi4 ,,hope ,,through ,a ,,wider ,,outlook1 #cbh ,,xvii4 ,,in ,,the ,,delightful ,,current1 #cdh ,,xviii4 ,,writ ,,in ,,an ,,unknown ,,tongue1 #cga ,,illustrations ,,page ,helen tells her dreams to the old apple-tree4 7,frontispiece7 #f ,helen put her head down suddenly1 and pressed her lips on the jewelled hand #ee ,helen's first day at ,aldred ,house #aib ,they were winding round into ,elm ,avenue1 with great bunches of wild flowers and bright leaves #bce ,when ,helen returned there was a box that had been sent across the water1 with some pretty laces and a fine neck-chain and charm #bgb ,he looked like an old picture1 but he was a gentleman1 every inch of him #cij ,transcriber's note3 ,in the ,list of ,illustrations there is reference to an ilustration on page #bce4 ,it could not be found4 ,,helen ,,grant',s ,,schooldays ,,chapter ,i ,,helen ,it had been a great day for the children at ,hope ,center the closing day of school1 the last of the term1 the last of the week4 ,the larger boys and girls had spent the morning decorating the big room1 which was to be the assembly-room4 ,at the ,center they were still quite primitive4 ,there were many old or rather elderly people very much opposed to putting on airs4 ,boys and girls went to school together1 but they wouldn't have called it co-education4 ,so the main room where various meetings and occasional entertainments were held1 was always known by the appellation big4 ,it was very prettily trimmed with the shining sprays of bread and butter1 and wild clematis1 and the platform was gay with flowers4 ,seats were arranged on either hand for the graduating class1 and the best singers in school4 ,there was a very good attendance4 ,closing day was held in as high esteem as ,washington's ,birthday1 or ,decoration ,day4 ,christmas was only partly kept1 the old ,hope settlers being an offshoot of the ,puritans1 and the one little ,episcopalian chapel had almost to fight for its ,holy days4 ,the first three seats in the audience-room were full of children in ,sunday attire4 ,the girl graduates were in white1 with various colored ribbons4 ,the boys' habiliments had followed no especial rule4 ,but they were a bright1 happy-looking lot1 taking a deep interest in what they were to do4 ,the boys had an entertaining historical exercise4 ,one began with a brief account of causes leading to the revolution4 ,another followed with the part ,boston played1 then ,new ,york1 then ,philadelphia1 ,virginia1 and the surrender of ,cornwallis2 afterward1 two or three patriotic songs1 several recitations--two distinctly humorous--another song or two1 and then ,helen ,grant's selection1 which was ,herv ,riel1 a poem she had cut from a paper1 that somehow inspired her4 ,diplomas were then distributed1 and the ,star ,spangled ,banner1 sung by everybody1 finished the exercises4 ,helen was fourteen1 well-grown and very well-looking1 without being pretty enough to arouse anyone's envy4 ,a great girl for book-learning1 her uncle said1 while ,aunt ,jane declared ,she didn't see but people got along just as well without so much of it4 ,it had never done a great deal for ,ad ,grant4 ,helen had a bright1 sunny nature--well1 for that matter1 she had a good many sides to her nature1 and no girl of fourteen has them all definite at once4 ,some get toned down1 some flash out here and there1 and those of real worth come to have a steady shining light later on4 ,but she never could hear ,aunt ,jane say ,ad ,grant in the peculiar tone she used without a sharp pang4 ,for ,addison ,grant was her father1 that is if he was still alive1 and when ,aunt ,jane wanted to be particularly tormenting1 she was sure he was roaming the world somewhere1 and forgetting that he had a child4 ,sixteen years before he had come to ,hope ,center and taught school4 ,a tall1 thin nondescript sort of man1 a college graduate1 but that didn't raise him in anyone's estimation4 ,he was queer and always working at some kind of problems1 and doing bits of translating from old ,latin and ,greek writers1 and spent his money for books that he considered of great value4 ,why pretty ,kitty ,mulford should have married him was a mystery1 but why he should have taken her would have seemed a greater puzzle to intellectual people4 ,they went to one of the larger cities1 where he taught1 then to another1 and so on2 and when ,helen was seven her mother came back to the ,center a hopeless invalid with consumption1 and died4 ,mr4 ,grant seemed very much broken4 ,no one knew what a trial the frivolous1 childish wife had been4 ,he was disappointed at not having a son4 ,he had some peculiar ideas about a boy's education1 and he didn't know what to do with a girl4 ,so he left her with her aunt and uncle1 and for four years sent them two hundred dollars a year for her keep4 ,then he went to ,europe without so much as coming to say good-by1 and no one had ever heard of him since4 ,helen's memories of her mother were not delightful enough to build an altar to remembrance4 ,she had fretted a good deal4 ,when she was out of temper she slapped ,helen on the shoulder1 and said she was just like her father4 ,helen waited on her1 changed her slippers1 brushed her hair1 and would have made a famous nurse if the end had not come4 ,and then the life was so different4 ,the ,mulfords were in many respects happy-go-lucky people4 ,aunt ,jane scolded a good deal1 or rather talked in a very scolding tone4 ,but the children came up without much governing4 ,once in a while ,uncle ,jason struck one of them with his old gray felt hat2 ,helen didn't remember ever seeing him have a new one1 but he wore a black one on ,sunday4 ,there were five rollicking children1 and one daughter grown1 who was engaged to be married at seventeen4 ,helen ran and played and worked and sewed a little1 which she hated1 and studied and read everything she could get hold of4 ,there were ,sunday-school library books1 some of them very good1 too2 there were books she borrowed1 and some old ones up in the garret belonging to her father4 ,she read these quite on the sly1 for she knew she should hate to hear comments made about them1 and ,aunt ,jane might burn them up4 ,some years before she had a big rag doll that she was very fond of4 ,it was her confidant1 and wonderful stories1 complaints1 and wishes went into her deaf ears4 ',reely1 the girl next to the two boys1 wanted it1 and ran away with it at every opportunity4 ,one day they had a quarrel about it4 ,it's mine6 declared ,helen4 ,i'll hide it away4 ,you have no business with it4 ,what's that8 demanded ,aunt ,jane sharply4 ,helen ,grant1 you just give that doll to ',reely4 ,you're too big for such nonsense6 ,now1 ',reely1 that doll is yours1 and if ,helen takes it away1 ,i'll just settle with her in a way she'll remember one while4 ,you great baby-calf playing with dolls6 ,helen never troubled the doll after that4 ,there was a crooked old apple-tree in the orchard1 and after she had dipped into mythology she made a friend and confidant of it1 read her stories to it1 studied her lessons with it even in real cold weather4 ,it was a sort of desultory education1 until the last year1 when ,mr4 ,warfield came1 and then ,helen really found a friend worlds better than the old apple tree1 though she still told it her dreams4 ,and sometimes when the wind soughed through its branches it seemed as if she could translate what it said4 ,of course you go to the ,high ,school next year1 ,mr4 ,warfield said a week or so before school closed4 ,it would be such a pity for you to stop here4 ,you have the making of a good scholar1 and there is no reason why you shouldn't be a teacher4 ,you have one admirable quality1 you go so directly to the point1 you are so ambitious1 so in earnest1 and you acquire knowledge so easily4 ,you will make a broad-minded woman4 ,i must say the ,center people are rather narrow and self-satisfied1 except the few new ones that have come in4 ,and ,mr4 ,warfield smiled4 ,helen felt in her inner consciousness that it would be unwise to talk about the ,high ,school4 ,and she was very busy4 ,she was called upon to help with the ironing now4 ,she darned all the stockings4 ,she washed the supper dishes because ,aunt ,jane was tired out1 and ,jenny wanted to sew on her wedding outfit4 ,everything had gone along very comfortably4 ,her white frock had a scant ruffle put on the bottom to lengthen it down1 and new sleeves put in4 ,uncle ,jason was really proud that she had to speak a piece4 ,everybody stopped to talk and discuss the exercises4 ,the singing was pronounced first-rate4 ,the ,history talk stirred up some revolutionary reminiscences among the old folks4 ,someone praised ,helen's share in the entertainment4 ,well1 ,i didn't just see the sense of it1 declared ,aunt ,jane4 ,after all that great thing1 savin' of the ships1 as one may say1 why didn't he ask for something worth while8 ,just a day to go off and see some woman---- ,she was his wife4 ,and1 ,i dare say1 he had chances enough to see her4 ,you can't tell what they are driving at in these new-fangled stories4 ,now there's ',pity the sorrows of a poor old man1 whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door1' and ',columbia1 ,columbia1 to glory arise1 ,the ,queen of the world1 and the child of the skies' that children used to speak when ,i went to school1 and you could sense them4 ,mrs4 ,mulford repeated them as if she was reeling off so much prose1 and paused out of breath4 ,she was getting rather stout now4 ,i thought it rather theatrical1 said ,mrs4 ,keen4 ,i didn't understand it a bit4 ,the ,searings are going to send ,louise to the ,high ,school4 ,they have it all fixed1 and she's going to board with her sister through the week4 ,marty ,pendleton's going1 too4 ,dear me6 ,there wa'n't any ,high ,school in my day1 and ,i guess girls were just as smart4 ,helen was with the girls in a merry crowd4 ,some were going away to aunts and grandmothers1 and the envied one1 ,ella ,graham1 was going to the seaside1 as the doctor had recommended that to her ailing mother4 ,so they walked on1 chatting1 until paths began to diverge4 ,two roads ran through the ,center1 north and south1 east and west4 ,there were ,south ,hope and ,north ,hope1 settlements that had branched out from the ,center4 ,north ,hope had grown into quite a thriving town with a railroad station and several social advantages4 ,the ,high ,school for the towns around was situated here4 ,now1 began ,aunt ,jane1 as they neared the gate and said good-by to a few who were going farther on1 now ,helen1 you just run in and take off your frock and that white petticoat4 ,they'll do for ,sunday4 ,there's peas to shell and potatoes to clean1 and ,i have to look after the chickens1 and make some biscuits4 ,after spending 'most all the day it's time you did something4 ,helen drew a long breath4 ,she wanted to go out to the old apple tree to dream and plan4 ,but ,aunt ,jane didn't consider anything real work outside of housekeeping and earning money1 though ,helen had been up since five in the morning1 and very busy with chores before she went to help adorn the schoolroom4 ,sam1 who had been inducted into farming two years before1 was out in the field mowing with father and the man4 ,nathan1 next in age1 was most enthusiastic about the good time they had1 only if there'd been a treat like a ,sunday ,school picnic6 ,do stop6 said his mother1 ,i'm tired and sick of all this school stuff4 ,go out and bring in a good basket of wood1 or you won't have any chicken potpie for supper4 ,helen hung up her frock1 and put on the faded gingham and a checked apron1 and kept busy right along4 ',reely helped shell peas2 ,fan and ,lou were out playing4 ,it's splendid that there isn't any more school1 said ,fan4 ,we can just play and play and play4 ,the big girl inside was sorry enough there was no more school4 ,somehow ,aunt ,jane's voice rasped her terribly this afternoon4 ,two whole months of it6 ,a shudder ran all over her4 ,there was a savory fragrance through the house presently4 ,helen tried to remember everything that went on the table1 though she was repeating snatches of verses to herself4 ,then ,jenny came up the path1 stood her umbrella in the corner1 gave her hat a toss that landed it on a stand under the glass1 that ,helen had just cleared up1 and dropped into a rocking chair4 ,it's been hot to-day1 now ,i tell you2 she said4 ,well1 did your fandango go off to suit1 ,helen8 ,i shouldn't call it fandango1 the girl replied4 ,oh1 well1 what's in a name6 ,now ,i'll bet you can't tell what smart chap said that6 ,shakspeare4 ,did he really8 ,i suppose it's always safe to tack his name to everything2 and ,jenny laughed4 ,the word buxom could be justly applied to her4 ,her two long walks1 and her day in the factory1 did not seem to wear on her4 ,her color was rather high1 her eyes and hair dark1 her voice untrained1 and everything about her commonplace4 ,go and blow the horn1 said ,aunt ,jane to ,helen4 ,did you go1 mother8 ,was it anything worth while8 asked the daughter4 ,oh1 well1 so1 so4 ,mr4 ,warfield seemed very proud of his pupils4 ,yes1 the singing was good4 ,harry ,lane had the ',surrender of ,cornwallis'1 and it was just fine4 ,father and ,sam and the hired man came in4 ,the two children straggled along1 and ,helen had to wash them1 but presently they were all ranged about the table4 ,well1 how did it go8 ,uncle ,jason asked1 looking up as ,helen finally took her place after doing ,aunt ,jane's bidding several times4 ,oh1 it was splendid6 ,a thrill of delight swept over ,helen as she met the good-humored eyes4 ,and ,i have a diploma4 ,and did you carry the house by storm1 or did you forget two lines in the most important place8 asked ,sam1 mischievously4 ,dan ,erlick is going to the ,high ,school in the fall4 ,are you8 ,o1 ,i wish ,i could1 cried ,helen1 eagerly1 with a beseeching glance at her uncle4 ,occasionally he did decide matters4 ,well1 ,i declare6 ,aunt ,jane threw back her head with her fork poised half way to her mouth1 ,and ,i dare say you'd like to go over to ,europe1 too6 ,i just should1 said ,helen with a good natured accent4 ,there are a great many things ,i should like to do4 ,where's the money coming from to do 'em8 ,i hope to earn it4 ,i should like to teach1 and ,mr4 ,warfield thinks ,i ought4 ,and follow in your father's steps4 ,helen's face was scarlet4 ,you just won't go to any ,high ,school1 ,i can tell you1 began her aunt in an arbitrary tone4 ,you'd look fine walking in three mile and out again every day4 ,who'd keep you in shoes8 ,or did you think you'd take the horse and wagon8 ,you're learning enough for the kind of life you're likely to lead1 and there are other things to do4 ,and ,i'll tell you one of them1 ,nell1 said ,jenny with a rough comfort in her tone4 ,there will be three vacancies in the factory come ,september1 and you better take one of them4 ,now ,i haven't been there but little more than two years1 and take up my twelve dollars every two weeks4 ,the work isn't hard4 ,i almost think ,i'm a fool to get married quite so soon1 only ,joe does need a housekeeper1 and will have the house all fixed up--and doesn't want to wait2 laughingly4 ,joe's a nice fellow1 said her mother1 and well to do4 ,and you didn't go to any ,high ,school1 either4 ,mrs4 ,mulford took great pride in her daughter's prospects1 though when ,joe ,northrup first began to wait on her1 she said3 ,i don't see how you'll ever get along with old lady ,northrup1 and ,joe won't leave his mother4 ,i aint in any hurry1 returned ,jenny4 ,joe's a good catch and worth waiting for4 ,in ,march ,mrs4 ,northrup began to clean house and took a bad cold1 and a month later was buried4 ,quite a sum of ready money came to ,joe1 and he built on a parlor room1 a new wide porch1 papered and painted1 and ,jenny felt not a little elated at her good luck4 ,she had been steadily at work preparing for her new home1 improving evenings and odd hours1 for she was an industrious girl1 and she declared ,mrs4 ,northrup's old things would be a disgrace to the folks on the ridge4 ,these were the poorest and most inelegant people at the ,center1 and had somehow herded together4 ,yes1 that will be a good thing for ,helen1 said ,aunt ,jane4 ,she's old enough to do something to earn her way4 ,and you'll want everything new this winter1 you've grown so4 ,and if you have had any idee of ,high ,schools and that folderol1 you may just get it out of your head at once4 ,if you'd a fortune it would be more to the purpose1 but a girl---- ,it would be too far for her to walk1 said ,uncle ,jason1 warding off a reference to her father as he saw tears in ,helen's eyes4 ,mother1 this is a tip-top potpie4 ,you do beat the ,dutch6 ,and ,i never went to school a day after ,i was twelve4 ,i've kept a house and helped save and had six children of my own and ,helen1 and none of 'em have gone in rags4 ,and there's ,kate ,weston1 who's secretary of something over to ,north ,hope1 and who paints on chiny1 and see what a house she keeps6 ,you can have lots of learning1 and if it isn't of the right sort it won't do you much good1 said ,jenny sententiously4 ,there's a girl in the factory who was at boarding school two years4 ,she's twenty and she never earns over four dollars a week1 and if ,i didn't know more than she does--well ,i'd go in a convent6 ,some other topics came up1 and after dinner ,sam went to milk1 the hired man to care for the stock1 ,aunt ,jane took the big rocking chair and settled herself to a few winks of sleep1 as was her custom1 and the walk of to-day had fatigued her more than usual4 ,helen and ',reely cleared the table4 ,jenny sat down to the sewing machine and hemmed yards of ruffling for her various purposes4 ,then ,helen put ,fan and little ,tom to bed1 and sat a while out on the porch1 thinking1 strangely sore at heart4 ,she had not considered the subject seriously4 ,it had been an ardent desire to go on studying4 ,she had just reached the place where knowledge was fascinating to a girl of her temperament4 ,mr4 ,warfield had roused the best in her and she had1 as it were1 skipped over the years and seen herself just where she would like to be1 able to travel1 to make friends1 to have books and the pictures she loved4 ,she had not seen many that she cared for1 until one day ,mr4 ,warfield brought a portfolio of prints he admired1 and she was so touched that she sat in a breathless thrill of joy with her eyes full of tears4 ,oh1 ,i did not know there were such beautiful things in the world1 she said with a sob in her breath4 ,and that people could really make them6 ,how wonderful it must be to do something the whole world can enjoy4 ,he smiled kindly4 ,the world is large1 he replied1 and if only a little circle commends us1 that must satisfy the most of us4 ,and perhaps you know people who would rather have a bright chromo of fruit or flowers than all of these4 ,yes1 she admitted with a flush4 ,but in everything it is worth while to try to come up to the best within us4 ,this sentence lingered in her mind4 ,but she was a very busy girl for the next two weeks1 for there was a good deal to do at home4 ,then she was not old enough to have outgrown play4 ,girls really played in country places round about4 ,but some new thing was growing up within her4 ,there comes a dividing line in many lives when the soul awakens and reaches up and seems suddenly to sweep past the old things1 just as the bud pushes out of its sheath that then becomes a dry husk4 ,so many desires crept up to the light4 ,study1 languages1 histories of men and women1 and deeds that had changed the aspect of the world4 ,travel1 a life of her own in which she was first1 not in any selfish fashion1 but to have things peculiarly her own1 the things that appealed to her1 not other people's ideas of what was best for you4 ,she had had some of ,jenny's frocks made over for her1 and had been wearing ,jenny's coat all winter4 ,aurelia was too small to make these changes economical1 and ,mrs4 ,mulford was one of the thrifty kind that believed in putting everything to the best use4 ,yet ,helen longed for the time when second-hand clothes and ideas were no longer forced upon you1 but you could come into some of your very own4 ,she thought she would go up to her own room and have a good cry4 ,just as she reached the door ,aunt ,jane said3 ,yes1 she's old enough now to go to work4 ,it's a good idea4 ,i'll speak to ,mr4 ,brown and engage the place for her4 ,after a fortnight1 if she pays any sort of attention she'll get three dollars a week1 for she's quick to see into things4 ,yes1 if she settles her mind to them4 ,dear me6 ,i hope she won't turn out trifling and inefficient like her father4 ,she's got his eyes1 only they're more wide awake4 ,and when a girl has to do for herself1 the sooner she begins the better4 ,i'd reckoned on setting her to do something this fall1 for there's ',reely to work in the odds and ends2 ,i always did say ,i wouldn't bring up a lot of shiftless girls1 and ,i'll do my duty by her if she isn't altogether mine4 ,helen went round to the side entrance and slipped upstairs4 ,fan and ',reely slept in the big bed4 ,there was a jog in the room and ,helen's cot was here4 ,she threw off her clothes and crept into bed1 and cried with her whole soul in revolt4 ,what right had anyone to order another's life1 to put one in hard and distasteful places6 ,she had never thought of the factory before1 indeed she had never thought much of the future4 ,for most healthy energetic girls the present is sufficient1 and to ,aunt ,jane it was everything4 ,children were to do to-day's work1 there was no fear but there would be enough to fill up to-morrow when it came4 ,to go in the factory when ,mr4 ,warfield had said she could make a teacher6 ,to miss three years in the ,high ,school1 three splendid satisfying years1 to miss the wonderful knowledges of the wide1 beautiful world when she had just come to know what a few leaves of them were like4 ,no wonder she cried with a girl's passionate disappointment4 ,no wonder she saw possibilities in the enchanted future and was confident of reaching them if she could be allowed4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,an ,,excursion ,,to ,,hope ,helen was up at five the next morning4 ,they were early risers in the summer time at the ,mulfords'1 except ,fan and little ,tom4 ,mrs4 ,mulford didn't want young ones about bothering1 when they could be no sort of use4 ,mr4 ,mulford had quoted the advantage of good habits1 and that you never could begin too soon4 ,when ,i have need of their habits ,i'll see that they have 'em1 she replied with a confident nod4 ,plenty of sleep is good for 'em4 ,helen and ',reely had reached the period of habits4 ,mrs4 ,mulford always called out sharply at five o'clock4 ,oh1 what a beautiful world it was6 ,over east was a chain of high hills1 blue in the morning light1 except where the sun struck them4 ,they seemed part of another world4 ,between were bits of woodland1 meadows1 orchards and the creek that was laid down on the ,state map as a river1 but no one called it that4 ,nearer was a cluster of houses1 two or three factories stretching out to ,south ,hope and the railroad station4 ,oh1 why were beautiful things always so far off8 ,she hurried on her gown and twisted up her hair in a knot4 ,it was a faded cambric of last summer1 rather short in the skirt for such a large girl1 but then it was pretty well worn out4 ,she helped with the breakfast1 she laid out the dainties for ,jenny's lunch1 she ran to do things for ,uncle ,jason1 the world was just full of odds and ends jumbled together4 ,she wondered why people had to eat so much4 ,why hadn't they been made so one meal a day would suffice8 ,jenny took her little lunch satchel and trudged on with a cheerful good-morning4 ,nearly a mile to walk1 and then to work all day in the hot stuffy place full of unfragrant smells1 and the gossip about beaus and what was going to be the fashion1 and perhaps unfriendly comments or common teasing jokes4 ,that was what they talked about when they came to see ,jenny4 ,they were no great readers1 these girls4 ,and was her lot to be cast with them8 ,oh1 had school days really come to an end8 ,she had known their worth such a little while1 only during the last year1 the last three months she might say4 ,school was a period everyone went through1 but now1 to her it had unfolded its magical labyrinth1 and she wanted to roam there forever4 ,yet though she had shed bitter tears last night1 she did not feel at all like crying now4 ,an exultant life seemed throbbing within her4 ,now1 ,helen1 you just go upstairs and sweep1 and look out for the corners when you wipe up1 and shake the mats out good and hard4 ,see how quick you can get through4 ,aunt ,jane always said this ,saturday morning4 ,just as if ,i couldn't remember when ,i've done it for two years1 ,helen thought1 but she made no reply4 ,she worked away with her mind on a dozen other things1 and her work was well done1 too4 ,the great oven was heated on ,saturday1 an old-fashioned brick oven4 ,pies and cake and bread1 and a big jar full of beans went in it to come out done to perfection4 ,and the towels and handkerchiefs and stockings were washed on that day1 it saved so much from ,monday's work4 ,nathan and ',reely weeded in the garden1 then peeled apples for sauce1 and picked raspberries to can1 making what ,aunt ,jane called a clean sweep of them4 ,dinner again for a hungry host4 ,i'm going over to ,hope this afternoon1 said ,uncle ,jason1 ,i s'pose there's some butter ready to take4 ,now what do you want8 ,oh1 my6 ,what ,i don't want would be less4 ,some of that green and white gingham1 spools of thread1 shirting muslin good and stout1 and ,jenny said if anyone went over there was a list of things she wanted4 ,it's in her machine drawer4 ,oh1 ,i never can look after so much4 ,come mother1 go along yourself4 ,on ,sat'day afternoon6 ,jason ,mulford6 ,well you can't go on ,sunday1 and he laughed4 ,yes1 ,i could go over to church on ,sunday1 she retorted sharply4 ,thank the ,lord there's one day you don't have to cook from morning to night1 though like the old ,israelites you have to do a double portion on ,sat'day4 ,dear me1 ,i sometimes wished we lived on manna4 ,what is manna8 inquired ',reely4 ,bread and honey1 said her father4 ,no1 twan't bread and honey either4 ,jason1 why do you say such things6 ,it's what the children of ,israel had to live on forty years in the wilderness1 and they got mighty tired of it too4 ,it's my opinion1 ',reely ,mulford1 you'd rather have bread and cake and potpie and baked beans and berries and such4 ',reely stared with her big brown eyes4 ,and--didn't they have any---- ,you're big enough to read the ,bible1 ',reely4 ,when ,i was twelve ,i had read it all through1 except the chapters with the names which mother said didn't count4 ,but we didn't have ,sunday school books then1 and that was all there was to read on ,sunday4 ,helen thought everything that happened to ,aunt ,jane happened before she was twelve4 ,she had made her father some shirts1 she had pieced several quilts1 made bread and cake and spun on the little wheel and could do a week's washing4 ,well1 about ,hope8 ,they seldom said ,north ,hope1 or tacked ,hope on to the ,center4 ,oh1 ,i couldn't go4 ,well1 ,i can't get all those things4 ,see here1 let ,helen go4 ,aunt ,jane looked at her4 ,helen knew by experience that to want a thing very much was a sure way of being denied1 so she merely went to the machine drawer and brought the list ,jenny had written out1 in which were several mispelled words4 ,o ,lordy6 ejaculated ,uncle ,jason4 ,before all these children too6 ,no one would think you were a church member1 ,jason1 said his wife severely4 ,well1 if you want all them things you'll have to send ,helen along to remember4 ,an' ,i dunno's ,i have time4 ,uncle ,jason rose from the table4 ,so did the hired man and ,sam4 ,helen picked up the list and put it back in the drawer1 brought the cloth to wash ,tom's hands and began to pile up the dishes1 her heart in a tumult of desire4 ,jason1 what time you going8 ',bout two4 ,i've got to see ,warren at three4 ,and isn't there butter to take over8 ,yes1 to ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,well--,i think it is best to send ,helen4 ,now1 ,helen1 you wash up the dishes quick and do it well1 too4 ,then wash yourself and dress4 ,you know it puts ,uncle ,jason out to wait1 he hasn't the longest temper in the world4 ,helen was both quick and deft4 ,aunt ,jane took the credit of this to her own training1 but there was an instinctive delicacy in the girl that made her wish she had finer and prettier dishes to wash4 ,she did not truly despise the work so much4 ,she really loved to read advertisements of fine china and glass1 ,berlin and ,copenhagen wares1 ,wedgewood and ,limoges1 and hunted them up in the big school dictionary4 ,she was standing on the porch five minutes before two1 a wholesome1 happy-looking girl with two braids of light brown hair1 tied together half-way down with a brown ribbon1 and some wavy little ends about her forehead that would curl when they were wet4 ,her straw hat had a wreath of rather soiled daisies that sun and showers had not refreshed1 but her blue cambric with white bands looked fresh and nice1 though it had been made from ,jenny's skirt1 turned the other side out4 ,aunt ,jane had made her add her wants to the list1 so she wouldn't forget a single thing4 ,the butter was a nice roll wrapped in a cloth and shut tight in an immaculate tin pail4 ,with many charges they started off4 ,i wish mother'd learn there wan't any sense in fussin so much1 but land6 ,i suppose people are as they grow4 ,mebbe they can't help it4 ,but if one tried8 ,isn't it like learning other things1 or unlearning them8 ,well--no1 ,i guess not4 ,you see all these habits and things are inside of one1 born with him or her as you might say1 while the book learning is just--well determination ,i s'pose4 ,and so's farming4 ,that wasn't very lucid4 ,but if you found some better way of farming4 ,there aint many better ways4 ,keep your ground light and free from weeds and fertilize and get the best seed and then keep at it4 ,and if you do a wrong or foolish thing1 try not to repeat it4 ,that's about it4 ,but folks are mighty sot in their opinions1 and hate to change4 ,if ,i find a better way ,i take it up4 ,land6 ,we couldn't farm in some things as people did a hundred year ago4 ,there was a splendid row of shade trees on the road to ,north ,hope1 mostly maples1 but here and there an elm or a chestnut4 ,there were farms and gardens1 and old settlers who did not want any change4 ,then the railroad had established business lines outside the ,center1 while that had hardly changed in fifty years4 ,but it kept a quaint beauty of its own4 ,here and there was an old well sweep1 then a long line of stone wall covered with ,virginia creeper or clematis4 ,and then a tall row of hollyhocks in all colors1 or great sunflowers with their buds stretching out of close coverts4 ,it was so tranquil that the tired girl lapsed into a kind of dreamy content4 ,she used to think in later years this was a sort of turning point in her life1 and yet she had no presentiment4 ,now the thing you better do1 ,helen1 said her uncle1 is to get out here and go straight over ,main ,street and do your tradin'4 ,land sakes6 ,i wouldn't look up those forty botherin' things for a handful of money4 ,i'll drive round and leave the butter1 and then you go to ,mrs4 ,dayton's when you're through4 ,i may be a little belated4 ,be sure now you don't forget anything4 ,helen sprang out1 holding her satchel with its precious contents very tightly4 ,the stores were really quite showy1 and on ,saturday afternoon everybody who could1 went out4 ,she met some of her schoolmates4 ,ella ,graham and her mother were buying pretty articles for their sea-side trip4 ,many were just looking4 ,the day was not so very hot1 indeed now it began to cloud over a little1 just enough to soften the atmosphere4 ,she kept studying the list4 ,she couldn't match the edging1 but she took two samples that were nearest to it1 and she couldn't find the peculiar blue shade of sewing silk4 ,she made believe now and then1 that she was ordering some of the lovely lawns and cambrics1 and that she didn't have to consider whether they would wash well1 and how they would get made4 ,she chose ribbons and laces to trim them with4 ,and oh1 the pretty hats1 the fresh crisp flowers6 ,then she made a sudden pause4 ,finery went out of her head4 ,a book and picture store1 and in the very front1 the post of honor1 a most exquisite ,mother and ,child--the ,bodenhausen ,madonna4 ,mr4 ,warfield had two or three in his collection1 and the ,sistine ,madonna had gone to her heart4 ,but this child with his mother's eyes1 and the tender clinging love as if he was afraid some hand might wrest him from his mother's clasp1 the love unutterable in both faces filled her with a wordless admiration4 ,it seemed as if she could stand there forever1 as if all her longings were lost in this rapture4 ,presently she summoned courage to go in and inquire about it4 ,a modern ,madonna by a young ,german1 a new thought of divine motherhood4 ,it was a very fine photograph1 framed1 and the price was fifteen dollars4 ,of course she had no more thought of buying it than of the lawns and laces4 ,but she was very glad she had seen it4 ,sometime there might be a new world for her1 where she could have a few of these lovely things4 ,she must descend to gingham and shirting muslin4 ,then she hurried on to ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,uncle ,jason had not come4 ,there was a very fine old lady sitting on the porch in a silken gown with ruffles and laces1 a heavy golden chain drooping about her waist1 a large diamond flashing at her throat and smaller ones in her ears2 while her fingers were jeweled to the last degree4 ,but oh1 how wrinkled she was1 and her hair was threaded with white1 while her eyes seemed almost faded out4 ,helen went around to the side entrance4 ,mrs4 ,dayton was arranging the table for supper4 ,a very pleasant1 plump1 amiable woman of middle-life in a white gown1 almost covered with a big apron4 ,why ,helen ,grant6 ,aren't you tired to death with those bundles8 ,sit down and get a breath4 ,your uncle said you would come4 ,take off your hat4 ,you're just in time to have a bit of supper4 ,mr4 ,mulford said you were sent to do a lot of shopping4 ,how did you make out8 ,oh1 very well1 ,i think4 ,you see ,i did not have to use my taste or judgment1 it was all mapped out for me1 smiling4 ,i was afraid ,i should be late4 ,oh1 your uncle said it would be near seven when he came4 ,and it is only quarter past six4 ,now take off your hat and fan yourself cool1 and in five minutes ,i'll call the folks4 ,they haven't all come yet4 ,the ,disbrowes get here to-night4 ,i heard you quite distinguished yourself at school6 ,you take learning from your father's side4 ,the ,mulford genius does not run in that channel4 ,mrs4 ,dayton gave a pleasant smile4 ,there was no malice in her speech4 ,helen colored a little under the praise4 ,pity you don't live nearer so that you could come in to the ,high ,school4 ,oh1 ,i wish ,i could4 ,i love to study4 ,and there are so many splendid things in the world that one would like to know4 ,what are you going to do with yourself8 ,ah1 it was not what she wanted to do4 ,the tears suddenly softened her eyes4 ,oh1 ,helen1 an idea has just come to me4 ,mrs4 ,dayton had been putting some last touches to the table and paused at the corner with a glass in her hand1 studying the girl with comprehensive interest4 ,i suppose you meant to stay at home during vacation and help your ,aunt8 ,but ,aurelia's getting a big girl and there are so many of you4 ,i wonder if you wouldn't like to come over here and help me1 and get paid for it8 ,why1 ,i think you'd just suit4 ,did you see that old lady sitting on the front porch8 ,that's ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,she was here last summer4 ,she had a companion then1 a real nice girl about twenty1 that she had sort of adopted4 ,she has no end of money and is queer and full of whims4 ,she wants to go to ,europe in the fall and spend the winter in ,france4 ,she travels all over4 ,but the girl1 ,miss ,gage1 didn't want to go4 ,oh1 dear1 you don't mean--,helen stopped and colored scarlet1 and her breath came in bounds4 ,that you should go in her place8 ,oh2 no1 you can't indulge in such luxuries just yet4 ,miss ,gage finally consented on condition that she could spend the summer with her folks on ,long ,island4 ,there's quite a family of them1 and they seem to care a good deal for each other4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn wants someone to run up and down for her1 read to her1 fan her sometimes and go out driving with her4 ,she doesn't get up until after eight1 and has coffee1 fruit1 and rolls brought up to her room4 ,and she's a great hand for flowers--her vases must be washed out and filled every day4 ,then she comes down on the porch1 wants the paper read to her and likes to talk over things4 ,after dinner she takes a nap4 ,then she goes for a drive4 ,they used to take a book along last summer1 she's as fond of poetry as any young girl4 ,mr4 ,warfield said you were the finest reader of poetry in the school4 ,and what ,i'm driving at is that ,i do believe you could suit her1 and ,i'd like someone to help me out a little when ,i'm rushed4 ,joanna's good1 but one pair of hands can't do everything4 ,i asked ,mary ,cross to come over and read1 but she drones1 and she can't bear poetry4 ,and ,i've been thinking who ,i could find4 ,you see it isn't like a maid4 ,miss ,gray1 the nurse1 comes in every morning and gives her massage and all that4 ,she's smart enough to help herself and hates to be thought old4 ,now1 if you could come and help both1 and earn a little money8 ,it would be three dollars a week1 and no real hard work4 ,oh6 cried ,helen in a fervor of delight that made her absolutely faint at heart4 ,joanna opened the door4 ,haven't you rung the bell8 she asked in surprise4 ,i declare6 ,mrs4 ,dayton laughed and rang it at once4 ,joanna brought in the soup tureen and stood it on the side table4 ,we will finish the talk by and by1 the mistress said4 ,the boarders came in4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,pratt1 ,mrs4 ,lessing and her daughters1 ,mr4 ,conway and ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,when the ,disbrowes arrived the house would be filled4 ,this is my young friend ,miss ,helen ,grant1 announced ,mrs4 ,dayton1 and she gave the girl a seat beside her4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was next4 ,helen enjoyed it so much4 ,the spotless cloth with its fern leaves and wild roses1 the small bowl of flowers at each end of the table1 the shining silver1 and ,joanna's quiet serving4 ,the guests talked in low1 pleasant tones4 ,at home there was always a din and a clatter and two or three children talking at once1 a coarse and generally soiled table cloth1 and ,aunt ,jane scolding one and another4 ,and there was always a slop of some kind4 ,after the soup came the dinner proper2 roast chicken and cold boiled ham cut in thin slices1 not chunks4 ,what a luscious pinky tint it had4 ,and the vegetables had a dainty tempting aspect4 ,the table service was delicately decorated porcelain1 but it seemed rare china to the girl4 ,what lovely living this was6 ,helen possessed a certain kind of adaptiveness4 ,aunt ,jane would have called it putting on airs4 ,she made no blunders1 she answered the few questions addressed to her1 in a quiet tone1 for she did not have to shout to be heard over the din of children4 ,there was dessert and fruit1 not so much more than they were used to having at home1 for the ,mulford's were good livers4 ,afterward the boarders sauntered out on the porch or the lawn seats1 where the gentlemen smoked4 ,now you've seen ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 and she isn't so very formidable1 is she8 ,sometimes she is very amiable1 but ,i suppose few of us keep that even tenor of the way so much talked about4 ,and there are queer people all over the world4 ,whoa1 ,betty1 whoa6 ,you'll get home to your supper presently1 exclaimed a well-known voice1 as wheels announced the approaching vehicle4 ,mrs4 ,dayton and ,helen went out4 ,mr4 ,mulford thought first he couldn't stop a minute1 it was late4 ,but the hostess explained that she had something very important to talk over1 and he could have his supper while he was listening4 ,he demurred a little1 but finally assented4 ,mrs4 ,dayton brought him a tempting plateful1 and then unfolded her plan which had shaped itself definitely in this brief while4 ,she would come over ,monday afternoon1 meanwhile he was to prepare the way for her4 ,well1 that does beat me6 ,why ,helen1 you've struck luck6 ,i don't see how mother can make any real objection1 though she'll fuss at first4 ,that's her way4 ,and as you say ma'am we've a houseful at home1 ,helen ought to be mighty obliged to you4 ,helen caught ,mrs4 ,dayton's hand and pressed it against her cheek in a mute caress4 ,and now we must start off home4 ,oh1 ,helen1 here's a letter for you4 ,come1 you're too young for that sort of work1 and her uncle laughed4 ,she lingered in the door-way opening it4 ,mr4 ,warfield had to go away before he had expected1 but he begged her to take the ,high ,school examination and see how she stood4 ,when he returned they would talk the matter over4 ,it would be such a pity for her to stop here4 ,he sent a list of questions for her to study out4 ,they hurried off home1 and ,betty was nothing loth4 ,uncle ,jason said he would lay the matter before mother to-morrow4 ,helen better not say anything4 ,and you'll be so fine riding out every day1 and keeping company with big bugs that ,i don't see how you'll ever get back to us again4 ,mebbe you won't4 ,the ,high ,school may be next step4 ,she squeezed ,uncle ,jason's arm in a sort of transport4 ,a shadowy thought like this had crossed her brain4 ,aunt ,jane was out on the doorstep with some of the younger children4 ,well1 you have come at last1 after keeping one on tenterhooks and supper warmed up and got cold again1 and no one knowing whether you were thrown out and killed or waylaid---- ,there mother1 nothing happened except that ,warren fellow went off and ,i waited and waited for him4 ,i was bound to get my note4 ,and we had supper at ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,i sent ,helen there to wait for me4 ,oh1 ,helen--we couldn't think6 ,did you get the things8 ,if you'd lost my money-- and ,jenny made a threatening pause4 ,i didn't lose anything4 ,helen began to unpack her satchel on the cleanest end of the dining table4 ,i found everything but the lace and the blue sewing silk1 and ,mr4 ,morris is going to order them by mail4 ,he sent some samples of lace in case he couldn't find the exact match4 ,but it's got to match1 returned ,jenny in a positive tone4 ,and ,i did want that blue silk to finish my stitching ,monday night4 ,if you'd come home early with it ,i could have finished it to-night4 ,h'm1 h'm1 opening the parcel and nodding4 ,mrs4 ,dayton got her house full8 ,and what did you see nice8 ,have prices gone down any1 but ,i s'pose its hardly time6 ,and was the style out in their best8 ,are they wearing ruffles on skirts or just plain8 ,and are they real scant8 ,dear me6 ,i haven't been over to ,north ,hope in a dog's age4 ,helen didn't remember about skirts except that ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's light silk had a beautiful black lace flounce4 ,and the ,madonna was still plain before her eyes4 ,well you are stupid enough1 cried ,jenny in disgust4 ,i think ,i'd used my eyes to a better purpose4 ,and you didn't even bring home any fashion-papers6 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mulford were still having a little bickering on the stoop4 ,then she came in1 examined the gingham and the muslin1 sent the children to bed1 told ,helen to take the things off the table1 and said she was tired to death1 and that no one ever thought about her1 or cared whether they kept her up till midnight4 ,helen was very glad to get away to bed1 and live over the meal at ,mrs4 ,dayton's1 with its ease and refinement4 ,how could she help building air-castles when youth is so rich in imagination1 and hope is boundless6 ,and if one unlooked-for thing happened1 might not another8 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,air ,,castles ,,with ,,foundations ,aunt ,jane said ,helen must stay home from church ,sunday morning1 and help with the dinner4 ,joe ,northrup and two cousins were coming to visit4 ,in the afternoon all the younger portion went to ,sunday ,school1 and the little leisure ,helen had afterward was devoted to reading aloud their library books4 ,and when she came down ,monday morning1 ,aunt ,jane said in her brisk1 authoritative fashion3 ,now1 ,helen1 you fly 'round and get at the washing4 ,see if you can't learn something useful in vacation4 ,a big girl like you ought to know how to do 'most everything4 ,i washed when ,i had to stand up on a stool to reach the washboard4 ,considering that for the last two months ,helen had helped with the washing before school time1 and had often run every step of the way because she was late1 the request did not strike her as pertaining strictly to vacation4 ,she went about her work cheerily4 ,uncle ,jason had whispered in her ear1 ,don't you worry4 ,i guess it will all come out right4 ,then the clothes were folded down1 and after clearing the dinner away1 ,helen began to iron4 ,aunt ,jane dropped on the old lounge and took her forty winks1 then changed her gown1 put on a clean white apron1 which ,helen knew was for company1 and the thought added to her blitheness4 ,between three and four ,mrs4 ,dayton drove up in the coup with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 who continued her journeying around4 ,the ,mulfords' front-yard was rather pretty1 with two borders of various flowers in bloom1 and1 as the younger children had gone over to the woods1 it was quiet and serene all about4 ,helen glanced out of the side window1 and gave thanks for the decent appearance of the place4 ,the conversation seemed to be not altogether dispassionate4 ,she heard ,aunt ,jane raise her voice1 and talk in her dogmatic manner4 ,oh6 what if she couldn't go6 ,she clasped her hot hands up to her face1 and the iron stood there on the cloth and scorched1 a thing ,aunt ,jane made a fuss about4 ,truth to tell1 ,mrs4 ,mulford had two minds pulling her in opposite directions4 ,it would just spoil ,helen to go4 ,she would hate working in the shop afterward4 ,she would be planning all the time to get to the ,high ,school4 ,she knew enough for ordinary girls4 ,she would have to work for her living1 and she couldn't spend three years getting ready4 ,there was a little feeling1 also1 that she didn't want ,helen any nicer or finer than her own girls4 ,they had a father who could help them along4 ,helen hadn't4 ,and if education shouldn't do more for her than it had for her father6 ,but there was the money1 and any kind of work that made actual money was a great thing in ,mrs4 ,mulford's estimation4 ,nine or ten weeks4 ,twenty-seven or thirty dollars6 ,you see1 ,i'd counted on giving ,helen a good training in housework this vacation4 ,when girls go to school they aint good for much that way4 ,and 'long in ,october she's going in the shop1 and then she won't have much chance to learn4 ,an' ,i d' know as it'll be a good thing for her to spend her time readin' novels an' settin' 'round dreamin' and moonin'4 ,she'll read a good deal beside novels4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn is a very intelligent woman1 and keeps up to the times4 ,she has all the magazines1 and the fine weekly papers1 and she knows more of what is going on in the big world than most of the men4 ,then ,helen would assist me in many things4 ,oh6 ,i would see that she'd learn something useful every day1 ,mrs4 ,dayton declared1 with a bright smile4 ,then she aint fixed up4 ,she's outgrown most of her clothes1 an' ,i'd 'lotted on having her sew some4 ,she can run the machine1 and ,i don't believe in girls who can't do any sewing4 ,i'd be ashamed to bring up one so helpless4 ,here's my ,jenny making most of her weddin' things4 ,we don't count on having a dressmaker till the last1 to put on the finishing touches4 ,about the clothes1 began ,mrs4 ,dayton in a persuasive tone1 ,i have two or three lawn dresses that would make over nicely for ,helen4 ,and you know ,i did quite a bit of dressmaking through ,mr4 ,dayton's long illness4 ,and there's my machine4 ,she would have some time to sew4 ,oh1 you could depend on me not to let her waste her time4 ,mrs4 ,dayton had certainly been a thrifty woman1 if it was on higher lines than anything ,mrs4 ,jason aspired to4 ,she had money in the bank1 beside getting her house clear4 ,aunt ,jane's arguments seemed over-ruled in such a pleasant yet decisive manner that she began to feel out-generaled4 ,uncle ,jason had said yesterday1 ,you'd better let her go4 ,if they wanted her in the shop right away you'd send her4 ,so what's the difference6 ,there's a great deal of difference1 she answered sharply1 but she couldn't quite explain it4 ,for ,helen the three dollars a week really won the day4 ,aunt ,jane tried to stand out for the rest of the week1 but ,mrs4 ,dayton said she would come over on ,wednesday1 and she knew she could fix ,helen up1 without a bit of trouble4 ,don't let her fool away her money1 said ,aunt ,jane4 ,you'd better keep it until the end of the month4 ,mrs4 ,dayton nodded and rose4 ,the carriage was coming slowly up the road4 ,aunt ,jane did not go out in the kitchen1 but upstairs1 and looked over ,helen's wardrobe4 ,a white frock1 a cambric1 blue1 with white dots1 and a seersucker1 trimmed with bands of blue4 ,then1 there was the striped white skirt of ,jenny's she meant to make over4 ,they could do that to-morrow4 ,she could conjure some of it out before supper-time1 and put in the shirts and collars1 though at fourteen ,helen ought to know how to iron them4 ,she would forget all she had learned4 ,it really wasn't the thing to let her go4 ,helen went on ironing4 ',reely's white frock fell to her share2 indeed1 it seemed as if 'most everything did to-day4 ,she was hot and tired1 and1 oh6 if she could not go6 ,i don't see why those young ones don't come back4 ',reely hasn't a bit more sense than ,fan4 ,she needs a good trouncing1 and she'll get it1 too4 ,you leave off1 ,helen1 and shell them beans2 they ought to have been on half an hour ago4 ,and lay the two slices of ham in cold water to draw out some of the salt2 then the potatoes4 ,i'll iron4 ,she did not ask1 and ,aunt ,jane did not proffer her decision4 ,helen feared it was adverse1 then she recalled the fact that ,aunt ,jane always told the unpleasant things at once4 ,ill tidings with her never lagged4 ,so she took heart of hope again4 ,then there were raspberries to pick4 ,and supper1 and children scolded and threatened4 ,well8 said ,uncle ,jason inquiringly4 ,she was here1 but ,i haven't just made up my mind4 ,she'll be here ,wednesday4 ,whew6 ejaculated ,uncle ,jason4 ,she went down the garden path to meet ,jenny1 who took the shortest way across lots4 ,i'm goin' to sleep on it1 she said1 after she had told ,jenny4 ,but you'll let her go6 ,why1 it would be foolish6 ,i s'pose ,i shall4 ,but ,i'll keep her on tenter hooks to-night4 ,right down to the bottom ,i don't approve of it4 ,she'll be planning all summer to get to that ,high ,school4 ,three years is too much to throw away when you're dependent on other folks4 ,so ,helen had to go to bed unsatisfied1 for ,uncle ,jason wouldn't be waylaid4 ,i've cut you a frock out of that striped muslin of ,jenny's1 ,aunt ,jane announced1 the next morning4 ,sew up the seams1 and put in the hem1 and then ,i'll fix the waist4 ,aunt ,jane was handy1 as many country women have to be4 ,you were mighty close about that business of ,sat'day afternoon1 ,aunt ,jane flung out when she could no longer contain herself4 ,i s'pose it don't make much difference whether you go or not8 ,oh1 ,i should like to go4 ,helen's voice was unsteady4 ,but ,mrs4 ,dayton told ,uncle ,jason to talk it over with you1 and then she would come and see you1 and he said--that it would be as--as--and it seemed as if ,i hadn't much to do with it until---- ,well1 ,i've decided to let you go and try4 ,they may not like you4 ,rich old women are generally queer and finicky1 and don't keep one mind hardly a week at a time4 ,so it's doubtful if you stay4 ,then it is a good deal like being a servant1 and none of the ,mulfords ever lived out1 as far as ,i've heard4 ,helen colored4 ,she had not thought of that aspect4 ,neither had she considered that her dream might come to an untimely end4 ,and it seems a shame to waste the whole summer when there's so much to do4 ,but if they had wanted me in the shop you would have let me go1 wouldn't you8 ,helen said in a tone that she tried hard to keep from being pert4 ,that would have been different4 ,a steady job for years1 and getting higher wages all the time4 ,i've told ,jenny to engage the chance4 ,years in a shop1 doing one thing over and over6 ,she recalled a sentence she had heard ,mr4 ,warfield quote several times from an ,english writer1 ,but that one man should die ignorant who had a capacity for knowledge1 this ,i call tragedy6 ,she was not very clear in her own mind as to what tragedy really was1 but if one had a capacity for wider knowledge1 would it not be tragedy to spend years doing what one loathed8 ,she hated the smells of the shoe shop1 the common air that seemed to envelop everyone1 the loud voices and boisterous laughs4 ,and she wouldn't mind helping someone for her board1 and going to the ,high ,school4 ,why1 she did a great deal of work here1 but it seemed nothing to ,aunt ,jane4 ,the frock was finished1 and she washed it out1 starched it1 and would iron it to-morrow morning4 ,then there were stockings to mend1 although the two younger boys went barefoot around the farm4 ,and she worked up to the very moment the carriage turned up the bend in the road1 when she ran and dressed herself while ,aunt ,jane packed the old valise4 ,the children stood around4 ,oh1 ,mis' ,dayton1 can't ,i come some day8 cried ,fanny4 ,how long are you going to keep ,helen8 ,till she gets tired and homesick1 was the reply4 ,a smile crossed ,helen's lips and stayed there1 softening her face wonderfully4 ,they shouted out their good-bys1 and asked their mother a dozen questions1 receiving about as many slaps in return4 ,for the remainder of the day1 ,mrs4 ,jason was undeniably cross4 ,that girl'll turn out just like her father1 she said to ,jenny4 ,she hasn't a bit of gratitude4 ,and ,i hope the old woman will be as queer as they make them1 returned ,jenny with a laugh4 ,in the few years of her life1 ,helen had never been visiting1 to stay away over night4 ,this was like some of the stories she had read and envied the heroine4 ,there was a small alcove off ,mrs4 ,dayton's room1 with a curtain stretched across4 ,for now the house was really full1 except one guest chamber4 ,there was a closet for her clothes just off the end of the short hall1 that led to the back stairs1 which ran down to the kitchen1 a spacious orderly kitchen1 good enough to live in altogether1 ,helen thought4 ,she helped to take the dishes out to ,joanna1 and begged to wipe them for her4 ,if you're not heavy handed1 said ,joanna1 a little doubtful4 ,or butter-fingered1 laughed ,helen4 ,that's what we say at home4 ,but these dishes are so lovely that it is like--well it's like reading verses after some heavy prose4 ,i'm not much on verses1 replied ,joanna1 watching her new help warily4 ,she did work with a dainty kind of touch4 ,mrs4 ,dayton came1 and stood looking at them with a humorous sort of smile4 ,she knows how to wipe dishes1 said ,joanna1 nodding approvingly4 ,it is a good deal to suit ,joanna4 ,no doubt she will excuse you this time from wiping pots and pans1 and you may come out of doors with me4 ,the lawn--they called it that here at ,north ,hope--presented a picturesque aspect4 ,a party were playing croquet4 ,mrs4 ,disbrowe was walking her twenty-months'-old little girl up and down the path4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn sat in a wicker rocking chair that had a hood over the top to shield her from the air4 ,her silk gown flowed around gracefully1 and her hands were a sparkle of rings4 ,oh1 how sweet the air is1 said ,helen4 ,there's sweet-clover somewhere1 and when the dew falls it is so delightful4 ,they have it in the next-door lawn and the mower was run over it awhile ago4 ,helen drew long delicious breaths4 ,no noisy children1 and the soft laughs1 the gay talk was like music to her4 ,she walked across the porch4 ,mrs4 ,dayton said you were fond of reading aloud1 began ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,your voice is nice and smooth4 ,your voice is like your father's1 ,helen6 ,i had not remarked it before4 ,only it is a girl's voice1 ,mrs4 ,dayton commented4 ,i am glad it suggests his1 exclaimed ,helen with a pleasurable thrill4 ,where is your father8 asked ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,he is dead1 said ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,both father and mother are dead4 ,i was an orphan1 too1 continued ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,and ,i had no near relatives4 ,it is a sorrowful lot4 ,helen has had good friends1 relatives4 ,that's a comfort4 ,i heard1 we all did1 that you were one of the best speakers at the closing of school4 ,it was in the paper4 ,oh1 was it8 ,helen's eyes glowed with gratification4 ,yes4 ,so ,mrs4 ,dayton suggested you might be as good as some grown-up body4 ,that was ,robert ,browning's poem you recited4 ,it is a splendid poem1 cried ,helen enthusiastically4 ,you can see it all2 the squadron--what was left of it after the battle--and the 'brief and bitter debate1' and the order to blow up the vessels on the beach4 ,and then ,herv ,riel1 just a sailor1 stepping out and making his daring proposal1 and going 'safe through shoal and rock6' ,oh1 how the captain must have stood breathless6 ,and the ,english coming too late6 ,i'm glad someone put it in stirring verse4 ,helen paused with a scarlet face4 ,she never talked this way to anyone except ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,yes1 said ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 ,i have seen the man who wrote it1 talked with him and his lovely wife1 who wrote verses quite as beautiful4 ,i think you like stirring poems1 in a half inquiry4 ,yes1 ,i do1 she replied tremulously1 and in her girlish enthusiasm she thought she could have fallen down at the feet of the man who wrote ,herv ,riel4 ,she never had thought of his being an actual living man4 ,and do you know ,macaulay's ',horatius'8 ,oh1 ,i don't know very much--only the poems in the reading books1 and a few that ,mr4 ,warfield had4 ,i know most of ,longfellow4 ,the ,center is rather behind the towns around1 although it is the oldest part2 settled more than a hundred years ago4 ,but it is largely farms4 ,the railroad passed it by some fifteen years ago1 and the stations have improved rapidly4 ,why1 we have quite a library here1 and the ,high ,school for more than a half the county1 explained ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,it's not as pretty as this ,hope4 ,and the range of hills to the northeast--,i suppose you call them mountains--and the river1 add so much to it4 ,illustration3 ,helen put her head down suddenly1 and pressed her lips on the jewelled hand4--,page #ee4 ,and we have only a little creek that empties into ,piqua ,river1 and a pond in a low place1 that we skate on in the winter1 said ,helen rather mirthfully4 ,i can't help wondering what the ocean is like1 and the great lakes1 and ,niagara ,falls1 and the ,mississippi ,river with all its mouths emptying into the ,gulf of ,mexico4 ,and the ,amazon1 and the ,andes4 ,and ,europe1 and the ,alps1 and the lovely lakes1 and the ,balkans1 and the ,gulf of ,arabia1 and ,india1 and the ,himalayas1 and ,japan---- ,oh1 dear1 what a grand world6 exclaimed ,helen1 when ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn paused4 ,i don't suppose anyone has ever seen it all1 and her tone was freighted with regret4 ,i have seen a good deal of it4 ,i have been round the world1 and lived in many foreign cities4 ,oh6 oh6 ,helen put her head down suddenly and pressed her lips on the jeweled hand4 ,the unconscious and impulsive homage touched the old heart4 ,and people who have done wonderful things1 who have painted pictures1 and made beautiful statues1 and built bridges and churches and palaces1 the girl assumed4 ,most of them were built before my time1 hundreds of years ago4 ,but ,i have been in a great many of them4 ,and seen the ,queen6 ,if you mean ,queen ,victoria1 yes4 ,and other queens as well4 ,and the ,empress of the ,french when she had her beauty and her throne4 ,oh1 dear6 sighed ,helen with a long breath4 ,and ,aunt ,jane had called her a queer old woman2 ,aunt ,jane1 who had never even been to ,new ,york4 ,it was getting too dark to play croquet4 ,mrs4 ,disbrowe had gone in some time ago with her baby in her arms1 and somehow it had suggested the ,madonna picture to ,helen4 ,the gentlemen smoked and talked4 ,then ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn rose and bade them good-night1 and pressed ,helen's hand4 ,i think ,i shall like your little girl very much1 she said to ,mrs4 ,dayton1 in the hall4 ,she's modest and not at all dull4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn stepped off1 as if she was still at middle life4 ,she was wonderfully well preserved1 but then1 for almost forty years she had taken the best of care of herself4 ,she wouldn't have admitted to anyone that she was past eighty4 ,sometimes in her travels she had a maid1 often when she was abroad she had both a maid and a man4 ,for two years she had been traveling about her own country1 and seeing the changes4 ,yet her life had not been set in rose leaves in her youth4 ,she had worked hard1 had a lover who jilted her for a girl not half as pretty but rich4 ,and when she was thirty-five1 a rich old man married her1 and gave her a lovely home2 then1 ten years afterward1 left her a rich widow1 and told her to have the best time she could4 ,if she could only have had one little girl6 ,she thought she would adopt one1 but the child with the lovely face had some mean traits1 and she provided for her elsewhere4 ,she traveled1 she met entertaining people2 she liked refined society2 she acquired a good deal of knowledge with her pleasure4 ,but to grow old6 ,and one had to some time4 ,at ninety perhaps4 ,what did ,ninon de l',enclos do1 and ,madame ,recamier8 ,plenty of fresh air1 as much exercise as she could stand1 bathing and massage1 cheerfulness1 keeping in touch with the world of to-day1 and once-in-a-while a long1 quiet rest1 and early to bed as she was doing here4 ,ah6 if one could be set back twenty years even1 twenty real years1 and have all that much longer to live6 ,the child's admiration had touched her4 ,it was not for her diamonds and emeralds1 for her ,chantilly lace1 nor for the fact that she had money enough to buy costly things4 ,helen ,grant was ignorant of the value of these adornments4 ,it was for the understanding of something finer and larger1 experiences garnered up1 real knowledge4 ,how odd in a little country maiden6 ,and this was sweeter than any of the ordinary flatteries offered her4 ,helen thought her little bed delightful1 and she was not sure but it was all a dream4 ,she was still more bewildered when she opened her eyes4 ,someone was gently stirring about4 ,she sprang out on the floor4 ,you needn't get up just yet1 said ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,oh1 ,i am used to it1 with a bright smile4 ,and maybe ,i can help4 ,she did find many little things to do4 ,it was so pleasant to be allowed to see them herself1 and do them without ordering4 ,mrs4 ,dayton said ,will you do this or that1 as if she could decline1 but she was very glad to be of service4 ,then the boarders sauntered in to breakfast1 and that was done with4 ,helen dusted the parlor1 she had swept the porch and the paved walk down to the street before the boarders were up4 ,then she helped with the dishes4 ,that girl knows how to work1 and ,joanna nodded approvingly4 ,perhaps you would like to go to market with me1 suggested ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,it would be well for you to learn your way about in case ,i wanted to send you out of an errand4 ,oh6 it would be splendid6 ,but ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn---- ,mrs4 ,dayton laughed4 ,there comes ,miss ,gray1 and the fussing will take a good hour4 ,though ,i think it pays1 even at a dollar an hour4 ,helen was silent from amazement4 ,oh1 she has patients at three dollars an hour1 real invalids4 ,and she could get more in the city4 ,joanna knows about the breakfast4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn is wise enough not to gorge her stomach with useless and injurious food4 ,i never saw a person take better care of herself4 ,it was a very pleasant walk under maples and elms1 with here and there an old-fashioned ,lombardy poplar2 lindens with their fringy tassels1 and horse-chestnuts with their dense1 spreading leaves4 ,there was but one real market in ,hope1 but numerous smaller attempts4 ,mrs4 ,dayton gave her orders for the day's provision4 ,now1 we will go around the longest way1 smilingly4 ,there's the ,high ,school4 ,it calls in quite a number of winter boarders1 and sometimes the large boys prove very troublesome4 ,and here is the ,free ,library1 though there is quite a tax to support it1 and numerous contributions4 ,there is a fine reference-room for the scholars4 ,education seems to be made easy now-a-days4 ,let us go in4 ,the lower floor was devoted to the library4 ,a large room was shelved around in alcoves1 reserved for some particular kind of books4 ,history1 biography1 science1 music1 discoveries and travels1 as well as novels4 ,the reading-room was at one end1 the reference department at the other4 ,just now it was very quiet1 being rather dull times4 ,up on the next floor was a fine auditorium for amusements and lectures4 ,in the wings were small rooms used for lodge meetings and such purposes4 ,helen was very much interested4 ,oh1 what a happy time6 ,and yet she felt a little conscience-smitten1 as if she wasn't doing her whole duty4 ,the papers had come1 and presently ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn took her accustomed seat4 ,mrs4 ,pratt was at the corner of the piazza doing needlework4 ,miss ,lessing was sketching from nature4 ,the younger girl was out hunting wild flowers4 ,helen read the home news1 then the foreign news4 ,it seemed queer to know what they were doing in ,london1 and ,paris1 and ,rome1 that hitherto had been merely places on the map to her4 ,and then what financiers in ,new ,york were talking of1 which really was an unknown language to her1 but not to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 who for years had held the key4 ,perhaps the charm in ,helen was her interest in what she was doing4 ,sometimes she made quite a fanciful thing of her work at home1 though she was not what you would call a romantic girl4 ,and now most of the time she was reading1 she put life into her tones4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had been here and there1 and she wanted the descriptions of things to seem real to her4 ,you're a very good reader1 she said approvingly4 ,you must not let anyone cultivate you on different lines with their elocutionary ideas1 or you will be spoiled4 ,who taught you8 ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,he was principal of the school4 ,i was in his class last year4 ,he has some common sense4 ,when you go to an opera you expect to hear ranting and sighing1 and sobbing1 but sensible people do not talk that way about the every-day things of life4 ,i don't know what an opera is like1 said ,helen with a kind of bright mirthfulness at her own ignorance4 ,i suppose not4 ,men and women singing the love1 and sorrow1 and woe1 and trials of other men and women1 long ago dead1 or perhaps never alive anywhere but in the composer's brain4 ,it is the exquisite singing that thrills you4 ,but you wouldn't want it for steady diet4 ,miss ,lessing spoke of two famous singers who had been in ,new ,york during the winter4 ,and she had heard the ,wagner ,trilogy1 which she thought magnificent4 ,yes4 ,i've heard it at ,beyreuth4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn nodded1 as if it might be an ordinary entertainment4 ,oh1 it has been my dream to go abroad some time1 and ,miss ,lessing sighed4 ,and there was a girl in the world who loved her own folks quite as well as a journey abroad4 ,there was pure affection for you6 ,miss ,lessing would jump at the offer she had made ,clara ,gage4 ,they were summoned in to luncheon4 ,mr4 ,conway was the only man of the party1 not much of a talker1 but the ladies loved to sit and talk over their morning's adventures1 or their afternoon's intentions4 ,mrs4 ,dayton never hurried them4 ,they all considered it the most home-y place at which they had ever boarded4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn went off for her nap4 ,so did several of the others4 ,mrs4 ,dayton took ,helen up-stairs4 ,she had exhumed two of her old lawns1 and thought they could modernize them into summer frocks4 ,they were very fine and pretty1 and ,helen was delighted4 ,it was four o'clock when the coup came1 and ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn rang for ,helen to come up to her room1 and carry her shawl1 and her dainty case with the opera glass in it for far sights1 and a bottle of lavender salts4 ,and then the driver helped them in1 and away they started4 ,one could almost envy that girl6 said ,daisy ,lessing4 ,i don't see why some of us couldn't be as good company4 ,they paused at the ,public ,library4 ,will you go in1 ,helen1 and ask for ',lays of ,ancient ,rome1' ,macaulay's1 said ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,i hope it won't be out4 ,helen came back with the book1 and sparkling eyes4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,planting ,,of ,,small ,,seeds ,but it was not all smooth sailing for ,helen1 although it had begun so fair4 ,the very next week was trying to everybody4 ,it was warm and close and rainy1 not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean1 and clears up with laughing skies1 but drizzles and mists and general sogginess1 not a breath of clear air anywhere4 ,no one could sit on the porch1 for the vines and eaves dripped1 the parlor had a rather dismal aspect1 and everybody seemed dispirited4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was not well4 ,she lost her appetite4 ,it seemed as if she had a little fever4 ,and she was dreadfully afraid of being ill4 ,so many people had dropped down in the midst of apparent health1 had paralysis or apoplexy1 or developed an unsuspected heart-weakness4 ,she would make a vigorous effort to keep from dying1 she had no organic disease1 but something might happen4 ,young people died1 but that did not comfort her for she was not young4 ,helen fanned her on the sofa1 in the chair4 ,the cushions and pillows grew hot1 she fanned them cool4 ,she ran out to the well1 and brought in a pitcher of fresh cold water4 ,it tastes queer4 ,i do wonder if there is any drainage about that could get into it4 ,then it was1 ,helen1 don't read so loud4 ,your voice goes through my head6 and when ,helen lowered her tone1 she said1 ,don't mumble so6 ,i can't half hear what you are saying4 ,how stupid the papers are6 ,there's really nothing in them6 ,if ,helen had not been used to fault-finding1 it would have gone hard with her4 ,as it was she was rather dazed at first at the change4 ,she'll get over it1 comforted ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,and if this weather ever lets up we shall all feel better4 ,the ,disbrowe baby was ill1 too1 and two or three times ,helen went to relieve the poor mother4 ,miss ,gage came and stayed one night with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,friday noon the sun shone gayly out1 a fresh wind blew much cooler from the west1 and everybody cheered up4 ,railly1 said ,uncle ,jason1 when he came in ,saturday with butter and eggs1 you're a big stranger6 ,mother1 she feels kinder hurt an' put out1 an' wishes she hadn't let you come4 ,you do ridin' round every day an' never come near us1 as if you felt yourself too grand4 ,oh1 ,uncle ,jason1 it isn't that at all1 cried ,helen in protest4 ,we were out just a little while on ,monday1 and the mist came up4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn took a cold1 and has been poorly1 and the weather has been just horrid until to-day4 ,then ,i have been helping ,joanna with the jelly and canning1 and ,mrs4 ,disbrowe with her baby4 ,i couldn't walk over1 could ,i8 glancing up laughingly4 ,well1 ,i s'pose you might--on a pinch---- ,oh1 no2 it would have to be on my own two feet4 ,and see what a mess the roads have been6 ,good going for ducks1 but bad for your best shoes4 ,he laughed4 ,her tone was so merry it was good to hear4 ,he had missed her cheerful presence4 ,aunt ,jane would hardly have admitted how much she missed her about the work4 ',reely had so many slaps that she just wished ,helen would come home again1 it made mother so cross to have her away4 ,i s'pose1 now1 you couldn't go back with me1 and ,i'll bring you over ,sunday4 ,helen was sorry1 and yet she shrank from the proposal1 and was glad she could not go4 ,was that ungrateful8 ,oh1 ,i really could not1 ,uncle ,jason4 ,you see1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn is just getting better1 and she wants a dozen things all at once1 but ,i'll try when we go out4 ,perhaps the first of the week4 ,i'll have to hold on to my scalp when ,i get home1 he said rather ruefully4 ,mother told me to bring you back4 ,but ,i'm hired to stay here1 and ,i can't run away as ,i like1 she answered pleasantly1 but with dignity4 ,that's so6 ,that's so6 ,well1 come soon as you can4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's bell rang and she had to say good-by4 ,mrs4 ,dayton entered at that moment4 ,helen1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn said3 ,i've a mind to go down on the porch and sit on the west side in the sun4 ,i'm tired to death of this room4 ,get me that white lambs-wool sacque1 though ,i hate bundling up like an old woman6 ,i think ,i did take a little cold4 ,and people who are seldom ill are always the worst invalids1 ,i've heard4 ,then bring that big ,persian wrap1 ,i really do feel shaky1 and that's ridiculous for me4 ,she managed to get down stairs very well4 ,helen fixed the wrap about the chair and then crossed it on her knees4 ,the white sacque was tied with rose colored ribbons1 and with her fluffy1 curly hair she looked like an old baby4 ,has the ,saturday ,gazette come8 ,let's hear the little gossip of the town4 ,who is going out of it1 who is coming in1 who played euchre at ,mrs4 ,so and ,so's1 and who won first prize1 and who has a new baby4 ,there were other things--a column about some wonderful exhumations in ,arizona that were indications of a pre-historic people4 ,queer1 she commented when ,helen had finished1 but everywhere it seems as if cities were built on the ruins of old cities4 ,and no one knows the thousands of years the world has stood4 ,there is a theory that we come back to life every so often1 that some component part of us doesn't die4 ,still1 ,i do not see the use if one can't remember4 ,but there is--heaven---- ,helen was a little awe-struck at the unorthodox views4 ,well--no one has come back from heaven4 ,i believe there are several cases of trances where people thought they were there1 and had to come back1 and were very miserable over it4 ,but it seems to me being here is the best thing we know about4 ,i feel as if ,i should like to live hundreds of years1 if ,i could be well and have my faculties4 ,there's ,auntie ,briggs1 as they call her1 over to ,center1 who is ninety-seven1 and grandmother ,white was ninety-five on ,christmas day4 ,tell me about them4 ,are they well8 ,do they get about8 ,grandmother ,white is spry as a cricket1 as people say4 ,she sews and knits and doesn't wear glasses4 ,that's something like4 ,the incident cheered her amazingly4 ,and the other old lady8 ,she is quite deaf and walks about with a cane1 but ,i think she's pretty well4 ,helen did not say she was cross and crabbed and a trial to her grand-daughter's family4 ,it really was sad to live past the time when people wanted you4 ,but couldn't you be sweet and comforting8 ,must old age be queer and disagreeable8 ,i shall try to live to a hundred1 said ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,let me see--,i wish you'd read something bright1 about people having good times4 ,why do writers put so much sorrow in stories8 ,it is bad enough to have it in the world4 ,helen ran up and brought down a pile of novels that ,mr4 ,disbrowe had selected in the city4 ,but one did not suit and another did not suit4 ,we will look at the sun going down4 ,what wonderful sunsets ,i have seen6 ,tell me about them1 entreated ,helen4 ,there was one at the ,golden ,gate1 ,california4 ,no one ever could paint anything like it4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn looked across the sky as if she saw it again4 ,she was an excellent hand at description4 ,then the men were coming in1 the dinner bell rang4 ,i won't bother to dress1 ,i'll play invalid4 ,helen pushed the chair in a sheltered place1 and laid the shawl over the back of a hall chair4 ,everybody congratulated ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 and she said with a little laugh that she thought it was the weather1 and she had been playing off1 that she hadn't been really ill4 ,i think we all gave in to the weather1 said ,mrs4 ,lessing4 ,i had a touch of rheumatism4 ,you can have a fire in wet cool weather1 but when it is wet hot weather1 you can hardly get your breath and feel smothered4 ,it's been a dreadful week for trade1 remarked ,mr4 ,disbrowe4 ,i haven't made my salt4 ,perhaps it would have been better to have tried pepper4 ,they all laughed at that4 ,mrs4 ,dayton has tried both salt and pepper and been cheerful as a lark1 said ,mrs4 ,pratt4 ,and plenty of sugar1 laughed ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,though ,i confess ,i have been tried with jelly that wouldn't jell4 ,the weather has been bad for that4 ,and ,miss ,helen has kept rosy4 ,she has been good to look at1 subjoined ,mrs4 ,disbrowe4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn smiled at the girl who flushed with the praise4 ,she wanted to be read to sleep that night1 just as she had been the night before1 and chose ,tennyson4 ,well1 ,i do hope we will have a nice week to come1 ,mrs4 ,dayton said when they were alone4 ,old lady ,van ,dorn has been trying4 ,helen1 you have kept your temper excellently4 ,what are you smiling about8 ,i guess ,i have been trained to keep my temper4 ,because your aunt doesn't let anyone fly out but herself8 ,that's in the ,cummings blood4 ,and you haven't any of that4 ,sometimes your voice has the sound of your father's4 ,you are more ,grant than ,mulford4 ,you knew my father---- ,helen paused and glanced up wondering whether it was much or little4 ,well--yes1 slowly4 ,and not so very much either4 ,you see ,i was beyond my school days1 and ,mrs4 ,dayton gave a retrospective smile4 ,your mother went to school to him the first year he taught4 ,i never could understand---- and she wrinkled her brow a little4 ,i suppose he was very much in love with her8 ,helen colored vividly as if she was peering into a secret4 ,the love stories she had been reading were taking effect in a certain fashion4 ,she was beginning to weave romances about people4 ,aunt ,jane blamed her father for a good many things1 and especially the marriage4 ,but she never had a good word for him4 ,oh1 what nonsense for children like you to think about love6 ,well1 rather reluctantly1 he must have been pleased with her1 she was bright and pretty1 but it wasn't wise for either of them1 and it did surprise everybody4 ,she was one of the butterfly kind with lots of beaus4 ,dan ,erlick's father waited on her considerably1 he was pretty gay1 and people thought she liked him a good deal4 ,then he married a ,waterbury girl1 and not long after she married your father4 ,there were others she could have had--we all thought more suitable4 ,he was a good deal older1 and cared mostly for books and study4 ,then he began with some queer notions1 at least the ,center people thought so--that the world had stood thousands of years we knew nothing about1 and that the ,mosaic account wasn't--well then people hadn't heard so much about science and all that1 and were a little worried lest their children should turn out infidels4 ,and he found a place in some college at the ,west1 but it seemed as if they made a good many changes until she came home to die4 ,but she always appeared to think he had been kind and taken good care of her4 ,if he hadn't the ,center would have heard about it4 ,that didn't altogether answer the question4 ,helen wanted some devotion on which to build a romance4 ,since she could not put her mother in a heroine's place1 she wanted her father for a hero4 ,but she had never seen much of him1 and she had always felt a little afraid of the grave1 tall1 thin man who never caressed her1 or indeed seemed to care about her4 ,had anyone really loved him8 ,somehow she felt his had been a rather solitary life and pitied him4 ,he had a curious sort of voice1 continued ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,it wasn't loud or aggressive1 but--well ,i think persuasive is the word ,i mean4 ,he had a way of making people think a good deal as he did1 without really believing in him or his theories4 ,he was a man out of place1 you'll find what that means as you go on through life1 a sort of round peg that couldn't get fitted to the square hole in ,hope ,center4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i wonder if ,i shall be like him8 ,the tone was half apprehensive1 half amusing and the light in her eyes was full of curious longing4 ,i do suppose you get your desire for knowledge from him4 ,i never heard of a ,mulford who was much of a student1 nor a ,cummings either4 ,though ,i am not sure education does all for people4 ,you have to possess some good sense to make right use of it4 ,and some people with very little book learning have no end of common sense and get along successfully4 ,then ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's bell rang4 ,helen had been polishing the glasses with a dry towel4 ,joanna always went over them twice1 and this was quite a relief to her4 ,mrs4 ,dayton was putting away dishes and thinking4 ,helen was different from the ,mulford children4 ,she was ambitious to step up higher1 to get out of the common-place round4 ,it was not that she hated work1 she did it cheerfully1 looking beyond the work for something1 not exactly the reward1 but the thing that satisfied her4 ,and ,mrs4 ,dayton had found in her life that a little of what one really wanted was much more enjoyable than a good deal of what one did not want1 no matter how excellent it might be4 ,the book to-night was talks about ,rome4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn lived over again in her reminiscences1 making sundry interruptions4 ,it was here ,i met such a one1 she would say4 ,this artist from ,england or ,america was painting such a picture4 ,and there were walks on the ,pincio1 lingering in churches1 viewing palaces4 ,and then--it was all real4 ,hadn't ,st4 ,paul written letters from ,rome ever and ever so long ago8 ,somewhere he had ,thanked ,god and taken courage8 ,yes4 ,rome was real4 ,had her father ever seen it8 ,she would like to see it some day4 ,and if she could ever get to where she could teach school--,mr4 ,warfield had earned enough to go abroad1 and she remembered hearing him say he had worked all one year with a farmer for the sake of eight months' schooling4 ,there was a gentle sound of hard regular breathing1 not to be called a snore1 but a sign of sleep4 ,helen went on with a dream4 ,why couldn't she stay somewhere in ,north ,hope and work for her board nights and mornings and go to the ,high ,school8 ,she was learning so many things now about history and literature1 and the whole world it seemed4 ,occasionally she looked over the list of examination studies and caught here and there a fact she had not understood a few weeks ago4 ,why this was as good as a school4 ,she would not breathe her plans to a soul4 ,if only ,mrs4 ,dayton might1 or could keep her6 ,but early in ,october ,mrs4 ,dayton shut up her house and went on a round of visits after her summer's work1 and ,joanna went to her sister's who had seven children1 the eldest hardly fourteen4 ,but some place might open4 ,if boys could work their way up1 why not a girl8 ,there was a succession of pleasant days with a bright reviving westerly wind4 ,driving was a delight4 ,sometimes they went out an hour or two after breakfast1 and oh1 how glorious the world looked4 ,for two days ,helen felt she was a coward4 ,she ought to go home1 but she dreaded it somehow4 ,why wasn't ,aunt ,jane like--well1 ,mrs4 ,dayton for instance1 glad that other people should have some enjoyment8 ,yes1 she did enjoy ,jenny's pleasure1 but how often she threatened the others6 ,could we drive around by the ,center this afternoon8 ,helen asked a little hesitatingly4 ,why--,i thought we would go to ,chestnut ,hill4 ,i like those long faded yellow chestnut blooms that hang where there are to be no chestnuts4 ,it is like old age hanging on to some forlorn hope4 ,but you do not like old age1 ,helen said1 with a bright smile4 ,not for myself4 ,not for people in general4 ,but it is pretty among the clusters of green chestnut leaves4 ,mrs4 ,dayton could make a little sermon out of that--useless old age4 ,we might come round that way on our return1 ventured the girl4 ,are you homesick8 ,oh1 no4 ,a bright flush overspread ,helen's face1 and the light in her eyes as she turned them on ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was so beautiful it touched her heart4 ,uncle wanted to take me back on ,saturday to stay over ,sunday4 ,they think---- ,did you want to go8 with quick jealousy4 ,not very much1 oh1 no1 ,i'm not homesick at all4 ,i like it so much over here4 ,but ,i ought to go now and then4 ,well--we will see4 ,helen had put on her last summer's white frock4 ,she would rather have worn the blue lawn or the pretty embroidered white muslin1 made out of ,mrs4 ,dayton's long ago skirt1 but some feeling withheld her4 ,how beautiful ,chestnut ,hill was to-day6 ,it was not all chestnuts1 though they were there tall and stately1 but with a mingling of maple and beech and dogwood1 and here and there hemlocks and cedars4 ,a sort of wild garden of trees1 but all about the edges common little shrubs and sumac stood up loyally as if the trees were not to have it all4 ,and smaller things in bloom tangled here and there with clematis and ,virginia creeper1 and a riot of mid-summer bloom4 ,they had brought along a volume of ,wordsworth's shorter poems1 and ,helen read here and there in the pauses4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was ruminating over a thought that had crossed her mind4 ,wouldn't this girl be glad to go off somewhere and thrust her old life behind her8 ,how much did she care for her people8 ,someone could make a fine and attractive young woman out of her1 yes1 there was a certain noble beauty that might be cultivated and bloom satisfactorily from twenty to thirty4 ,ten or twelve years8 ,take the lower road round by the ,center1 she said to the driver4 ,helen raised her eyes in acknowledgment4 ,they passed the old farm houses1 and at the gate of one of them stood ,grandmother ,white1 a small wrinkled old lady in a faded gown and checked apron4 ,she nodded to ,helen4 ,was that worth the living to old age8 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn shrugged her shoulders4 ,thank ,heaven she should not be like that when she came near the hundred mark4 ,now ,i will drive around a little while you make your call4 ,it must not be very long1 or we shall be late for dinner4 ,helen sprang out with an airy lightness4 ,the front windows were all darkened as usual4 ,she ran up the path1 around the side of the house4 ,aurelia was weeding among the late planted beets where dwarf peas had taken the early part of the season4 ,oh1 ,helen6 ,she sprang up with the trowel in her hand1 ,i'm so glad you've come4 ,are you going to stay all night8 ,i miss you so much4 ,i have such lots of work to do1 and mother's cross a good deal of the time4 ,we all miss you so4 ,i s'pose its real nice over at ,mrs4 ,dayton's1 but ,i shall be so glad when you come back4 ,no1 ,i can't stay all night---- ,but the carriage went away---- ',reely1 you come in and peel the potatoes4 ,you ought to have had that weeding done long ago4 ,oh1 ,helen1 as the girl had turned around the corner that led to the kitchen4 ,well ,i declare6 ,i began to think you had grown so fine that the ,center would never see you again6 ,she looked ,helen over from head to foot and gave a little sniff4 ,are you coming in8 rather tartly4 ,why--yes1 forcing herself to smile4 ,how different from ,joanna's tidy kitchen6 ,it was clean but in confusion with the odds and ends of everything4 ,the green paper shade was all askew1 there were two chairs with the backs broken off1 the kitchen table was littered1 the closet door was open and betrayed a huddle of articles4 ,you don't seem to be very sociable1 ,i must say4 ,why didn't you come over ,saturday8 ,your uncle felt quite hurt about it4 ,seems to me you're mighty taken up with those people1 nodding her head northward4 ,i couldn't on so short a notice4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had not been well4 ,i read her to sleep nearly every night4 ,and there are so many little things to do4 ,well1 if she'd employ herself about something useful she wouldn't need to be read to sleep1 nor want so much waiting on4 ,that is what ,i am hired to do1 ,helen returned with a good-natured intonation that she kept from being flippant4 ,well1 if ,i had ever so much money ,i couldn't find it in my conscience to dawdle away time and have someone wait upon me4 ,and how's ,mrs4 ,dayton8 ,all the boarders staying8 ,yes1 the house is full4 ,mrs4 ,dayton does have the luck of things6 ,but she hasn't a chick nor a child1 nor a husband and a lot of boys to mend for4 ,i was foolish to let you go over there1 ,helen1 when ,i needed you so much myself4 ,it isn't even as if you were learning anything1 just fiddling round waiting on a woman who hasn't an earthly thing to do4 ,and ,i'm so put about1 ,i don't know what to take up first4 ',reely1 you hurry with the potatoes or you'll get a good slap4 ,there was a diversion with ,fan and ,tommy who shook sand over the kitchen floor4 ,fan's face was stained with berries but she flung her arms about ,helen and kissed her rapturously1 while ,tom dug his elbows into her lap4 ,did you come in a horse and carriage8 asked ,fan1 wide-eyed4 ,i came in the carriage4 ,you know well enough what she meant1 ,helen4 ,you'll get so fine there'll be hardly any living with you when you come back4 ,when she came back4 ,a tremor ran through ,helen's nerves4 ,oh1 must she come back6 ,how is ,jenny8 she inquired4 ,oh1 ,jenny's first rate1 working like a beaver4 ,there's a girl worth something1 if she is mine6 ,and the house is getting done up just splendid4 ,joe's crazy to be married right off1 but ,jenny's like me1 when her mind's made up it's made up4 ,there's a good deal of ,cummings in her4 ,why don't you take off your hat8 ,you're going to stay to supper8 ,no1 ,i can't1 ,helen returned gently4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was going to drive round a little---- ,she could have come in1 snapped ,aunt ,jane4 ,we could have had the horse put out and you could both have stayed to supper4 ,i dare say we have as good things to eat as ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,she doesn't refuse our butter and eggs nor chickens when we have 'em to spare4 ,they all think the butter splendid1 ,aunt ,jane4 ,and ,mrs4 ,disbrowe wishes they could get such eggs in the city4 ,she is sure what they get must be a month old1 said ,helen1 with an attempt at gayety4 ,i do make good butter4 ,mrs4 ,dayton's folks are not the first to find it out1 bridling her head4 ,and ,i'll say for ,mrs4 ,dayton she's willing to pay a fair price4 ,but ,i s'pose that old woman pays well8 ,helen wondered how the woman in the carriage would look if she heard that6 ,i'd like to know the prices myself4 ,haven't you heard ,mrs4 ,dayton say8 ,i might want to keep boarders1 some day4 ,no1 answered ,helen4 ,but there are a good many boarders at ,north ,hope1 and some of them look as if they didn't mind about money4 ,carriage has come1 announced ,nathan1 running in4 ,aurelia had finished the potatoes and put them on to cook and now stood with one arm around ,helen's neck4 ,stay6 stay6 ,can't you stay8 cried a chorus of voices in various keys4 ,i am not my own mistress1 answered ,helen1 cheerfully4 ,and when you are paid to do a certain thing1 paid for your time1 it belongs to someone else4 ,she loosened the children's arms and rose4 ,well it is a mean little call1 said her aunt1 and your uncle will be awful disappointed4 ,but when you live with grand people ,i s'pose you must be grand4 ,do come when you can stay longer1 with a sort of sarcasm in her tone4 ,i'll try4 ,helen kept her temper bravely1 left her love for ,jenny and ,uncle ,jason4 ,aunt ,jane had gone at making shortcake4 ,the children followed their cousin out to the gate and showered her with good-bys1 staring hard at the old lady in the carriage4 ,,chapter ,v ,a ,,girl',s ,,dreams ,helen's face was flushed as she stepped into the carriage1 but she held her head up with dignity and smiled4 ,the curious two sides of her1 was it brain1 or mind1 or that perplexing inner sight8 saw the wide difference between ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn and ,aunt ,jane4 ,and she liked the ,van ,dorn side a hundred times better than the ,mulford side4 ,the delicacy1 the ease1 the sort of graciousness1 even if it was a garment put on and sometimes slipped off very easily4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was never quite satisfied4 ,she was always reaching out for something1 a pleasure and entertainment4 ,aunt ,jane was thoroughly satisfied with herself4 ,she scolded ,uncle ,jason and insisted that he lacked common sense1 energy1 and a host of virtues1 yet she often said of her neighbors' husbands3 ,well1 if ,i had that man ,i'd ship him off to the ,guinea ,coast1 though she hadn't the slightest idea of its location4 ,she often held him up to the admiration of her friends1 though she always insisted she had been the making of him4 ,and she would not admit that there was a smarter girl in ,hope ,center than ,jenny4 ,the peculiar contrast flashed over ,helen4 ,what made the complacency--content8 ,did you have a pleasant call8 ,when ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn didn't feel cross her voice had a certain sweetness4 ,helen thought the word mellifluous expressed it4 ,she was fond of pretty adjectives4 ,aunt ,jane was very busy and they all set in for me to stay4 ,the children do miss me4 ,and did you want to stay8 with the same sweetness4 ,no1 said ,helen1 honestly1 while the color deepened in her cheeks4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i think ,i am getting spoiled1 citified1 and ,north ,hope isn't a city either1 with a half rueful little laugh1 yet not raising her eyes4 ,she isn't of their kind1 thought ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,and her courage1 her truthfulness1 are quite unusual4 ,she is very trusty1 there is the making of something fine in her4 ,you are not fond of country life1 farm life1 correcting herself4 ,i am quite sure ,i shouldn't be1 and yet ,i like the country so much1 the space1 the waving trees1 the great stretches of sky4 ,i should stifle in a place where there were rows and rows of houses and paved streets everywhere4 ,but not where there were palaces1 and villas1 and parks1 and gardens1 and beautiful equipages1 and elegantly dressed women4 ,helen shook her head1 ,i shall never have the chance to like or dislike that4 ,oh1 yes1 brightening1 ,i can read it in a book and imagine myself in the midst of it4 ,i thought you ware planning to teach school1 and save up money1 and take journeys4 ,oh1 ,i do1 and all manner of extravagant things4 ,but ,i am afraid they are air castles4 ,for somehow the reality of her life had come over her again4 ,she belonged to ,hope ,center1 not to ,north ,hope4 ,and maybe she never could get over there4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn thought of herself at ,helen's age4 ,where would her ambitions lead her4 ,she had had no ambitions to rise in life4 ,how gladly she would have married her first common-place lover1 and accepted a life of drudgery4 ,what queer things girls were6 and how strange that when she was tired and worn out1 and almost desperate1 the best of fortune should come to her4 ,it seldom happened1 she knew4 ,the old life was a vague dream1 she had only lived since her marriage4 ,in a way she coveted this girl's freshness and energy4 ,to have someone to really and truly love her--was there any such thing in life1 to old age8 ,she had coveted ,clara ,gage with the same desire of possession4 ,she had persuaded her to give up home1 mother1 three sisters and one brother4 ,but she had never ceased to love them4 ,and they had nearly outweighed a journey to ,europe4 ,perhaps they would4 ,clara was about eighteen when she took her1 this girl was fourteen4 ,she would be more pliable1 and she was not really in love with her people4 ,but there would be years of training1 and there was a certain strength in the girl4 ,sometimes they might clash1 and she did not want to be disturbed at her time of life4 ,then too--there were certain adventitious aids to ward off the shadow of coming years4 ,clara knew about them1 and she had grown used to her4 ,she would be getting older every year4 ,they were a little late at dinner4 ,how delightful and orderly and refined everything was6 ,helen luxuriated in it4 ,and yet it was only ordinarily nice living4 ,helen could see the table at home4 ,the kitchen was large and the table at one end1 and they always had meals there except when there was company1 and often then the children were kept out there4 ,the smells of the cooking did not give it the savory fragrance she read about in books4 ,it was hot and full of flies1 for the door was always on the swing4 ,they were around the table1 everyone wanting to tell father that ,helen had been to see them in a carriage1 at that4 ,do hush1 children6 began ,aunt ,jane1 sharply4 ,you haven't any more manners than a lot of pigs1 everyone squealing at once4 ,yes1 ,i think we made a great mistake letting ,helen go over to ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,we couldn't well refuse an old neighbor1 ,i know4 ,but she's that full of airs1 and so high-headed that she could hardly talk4 ,i don't see how she could make up her mind to come round to the kitchen door4 ,aurelia giggled4 ,wouldn't it have been funny to have her knock at the front door6 and all the children laughed4 ',twould be a good thing to bring her back now4 ,there's so much to do1 and fruit to put up all the time4 ,and she'd get in a little decent training before she went in the shop4 ,she'll soon get the nonsense knocked out of her there1 said ,jenny4 ,you needn't feel anxious about that4 ,sho1 mother1 that girl's good enough where she is1 an' a bargain's a bargain4 ,she was to stay till the first of ,september4 ,and when you're in ,rome you do as the ,romans do1 ,i've heard4 ,it's natural1 she should get polished up a little over there4 ,i'm as good as ,mrs4 ,dayton1 if ,i don't keep city boarders1 flung out ,aunt ,jane1 resentfully4 ,and ,i've the best claim on ,helen when we've taken care of her all these years4 ,i d'know as she'd earned twenty-four dollars at home1 said ,uncle ,jason4 ,i s'pose not in money1 admitted ,aunt ,jane1 who down in her heart had no notion of bringing ,helen home4 ,but ,i feel as if ,i had earned half that money doing without her4 ,twenty-four dollars4 ,phew6 ,pap1 suppose you had to pay me that6 exclaimed ,sam4 ,you get your board and clothes1 said his mother4 ,so they were mapping out ,helen's life1 and she was thinking whether she could have the courage to fight it out4 ,she could not go back to the farm4 ,that she settled definitely4 ,she picked up ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's wraps and her three letters and carried them upstairs4 ,i'm going to rest a while1 said the lady4 ,you may come up in--well1 half an hour4 ,will you push the reclining chair over by the window8 ,helen did that and laid the fleecy wrap within reach1 smiled and nodded and ran lightly downstairs4 ,in a moment she was helping ,mrs4 ,dayton take out the dishes to the kitchen1 and then dried them for ,joanna4 ,now ,miss ,helen1 if you wanted a situation1 ,i'd give you a good recommend1 exclaimed ,joanna1 smilingly4 ,then she went out on the stoop1 for it still wanted ten minutes to the half hour4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had taken up her letters rather listlessly4 ,one from her lawyer concerning some reinvestments1 one from a charity for a subscription4 ,the thick one with the delicate superscription from ,clara ,gage4 ,it was long1 and about family affairs4 ,they had been a good deal worried over a mortgage that the holder had threatened to foreclose4 ,but her sister's lover had insisted upon taking it up1 and would come home to live4 ,her brother had obtained a good position as bookkeeper in a mill4 ,the youngest girl would always be an invalid from a spinal trouble2 ,margaret1 the eldest1 sang in church and gave music lessons1 and thus had some time for home occupations4 ,mrs4 ,gage was quite disabled from rheumatism at times4 ,but now ,clara felt the dependent ones were in good hands1 and she would not only go abroad cheerfully1 but gladly4 ,her hesitation had been because she felt they might need her at home1 or near by1 where they could call upon her in illness or misfortune4 ,you have been very kind to wait until ,i could see my way clear1 she wrote1 and my gratitude in time to come will be your reward4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn felt a little pricked in her conscience4 ,she could have settled all this herself1 and made things easy for them1 but ,clara had not suggested any money trouble4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn paid her a generous salary4 ,down in her heart there had been a jealous feeling that her money could not buy everything1 could not buy this girl from certain home obligations4 ,but the letter pleased her very much in its frankness and its acknowledgment of favors4 ,yet her old heart seemed strangely desolate4 ,how could she obtain the love she really desired8 ,for if you did favors there was gratitude1 but was that love8 ,did anybody care to love an old woman8 ,she sometimes longed to have tender arms put about her neck1 and fond kisses given4 ,but her cheeks were made up with the semblance of youth1 her lips had a tint that it was not well to disturb4 ,oh1 to go back6 ,to be fifty only1 and have almost fifty more years to live4 ,the money would last out all that time1 even4 ,but here was a chance with this new girl4 ,clara might marry4 ,she1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 had been rather captious about admirers4 ,it wasn't given to every girl to make a good marriage at five and thirty4 ,in three years ,helen would be seventeen1 and with a good education1 very companionable4 ,it would be best not to lead her to hope for anything beyond the education1 she might grow vain and be puffed up with expectations of great things to come4 ,let the great things be a surprise4 ,there was a little tap at the door4 ,do you want me8 inquired the cheerful voice4 ,it is a full half hour4 ,no1 yes4 ,i'll be made ready for bed if you please1 little maid1 and her tone was full of amusement4 ,then ,i'll dismiss you and lie here by the window a while1 as ,i have something to think about1 until ,i get sleepy4 ,bring the jewel case4 ,helen was quite fascinated with all the adornments4 ,there were dainty partitions1 velvet rooms1 ,helen called them1 boxes in which rings were dropped1 a mound to lay the bracelets1 where a tiny ridge kept them from slipping1 a hook for the pendants1 and a case for the pins4 ,the girl placed them in deftly1 as only a person who really loved them could4 ,to her their sparkle seemed the flame of a spirit4 ,then the laces were laid in their boxes4 ,helen hung up the soft silk gown1 the petticoats with their lace and ruffles1 the night dress was donned and a pretty wrapper over it1 the slippers exchanged for some soft knit ones4 ,as for her hair--perhaps she slept in it1 for that was never taken down until after the girl went away4 ,now are you comfortable8 ,yes4 ,helen1 how did you come by so many pretty ways8 ,i do not believe they abound in your aunt's house4 ,no1 they do not4 ,helen laughed in soft apology4 ,i think because everything is nice and dainty here1 and everybody is---- ,how could she explain it4 ,no1 you're not quite so much of a chameleon as that4 ,it is something from the inside1 that was born with you4 ,and you must have the opportunity of developing it4 ,there child1 good-night4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn felt suddenly in a glow4 ,she would do a good deed1 help this girl to her true place1 cast some bread upon the waters and have it return to her presently4 ,three years4 ,she hoped ,helen would grow tall and keep slim1 her eyes were beautiful1 her complexion clear and fine if a little sun-burned4 ,she had nice hands1 too1 now that she was taking care of them4 ,she was quick to see any improvement1 she had adaptiveness and a pleasant temper4 ,she would make an attractive young woman at seventeen1 and she would owe it all to her4 ,she must love her benefactress4 ,why1 this was something to live for6 ,helen sat on the far end of the stoop step4 ,there were two rows of steps4 ,this commanded the kitchen porch1 as well as the dining room4 ,most of the boarders were up at the other end1 where two hammocks were slung1 but this was a favorite nook of hers when she wanted to think4 ,mrs4 ,dayton came out presently1 having finished her talk with ,joanna4 ,are you homesick or lonesome8 she inquired4 ,was everybody glad to see you to-day4 ,the children were4 ,i think ,aunt ,jane was a little hurt because ,i didn't come and stay over ,sunday4 ,do you want to go next ,saturday8 ,though what we could do with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn ,i don't know4 ,i think ,i do not want to go1 ,helen made answer slowly4 ,oh1 ,mrs4 ,dayton1 and she stretched out her hand in entreaty1 can't you sit down here a few moments4 ,i want to talk to someone4 ,i want to know whether ,i am right1 or wrong and ungrateful4 ,and ,i have a half plan if--if---- ,what is it1 child8 ,the girl's tone appealed to her strongly1 and she sat down beside her4 ,it seems to me as if ,i only roused up along in the winter1 and began to study in earnest4 ,mr4 ,warfield took such an interest in me4 ,and ,i began to love knowledge1 to learn how much there was of it in the world4 ,he thought ,i ought to go to the ,high ,school and study for a teacher1 and then ,i just knew what ,i should like best of all things in the world4 ,and since ,i've been here ,i've thought it over and over---- ,and do not know how to compass it8 ,there was a sound in her voice that expressed the smile on her face4 ,i have even planned for that4 ,if you did not go away all the fall ,i should ask you to let me stay and do some work1 and try to even it up next summer when the boarders come4 ,but ,i've thought maybe there would be someone else who would be satisfied with what ,i could do nights and mornings and ,saturdays for my board---- ,the tone was breathless and had to stop4 ,she was amazed that she could say all this4 ,my dear child6 ,have you been studying all this out8 ,well1 you certainly have a right to education when you are willing to work for it that way4 ,and ,i believe it can be compassed4 ,helen squeezed the hand nearest her with a joyful eagerness4 ,but there's another side to it4 ,i didn't think of that until this afternoon4 ,i fancied ,i could go away and study and work until ,i came to the place where ,i could earn money1 like ,miss ,remington1 and no one would have any right to interfere4 ,aunt ,jane thinks ,i know quite enough1 and has planned for me to go in the shop1 ,jenny has spoken for the chance4 ,i should just hate it6 ,i think ,i should run away4 ,i don't know why ,i am different1 but ,i am4 ,i feel it now more than ever4 ,aunt ,jane doesn't want me to be like my father1 and she lays the blame on education4 ,oh1 ,mrs4 ,dayton1 you do not think he ever did anything absolutely wrong1 that one had need to be ashamed of8 ,helen's face was in a blaze of scarlet4 ,how many times she had longed to ask the question4 ,why no4 ,he had the name of being queer1 and holding queer beliefs4 ,but he was honest as the day1 and temperate1 and not given to brawling as the ,bible has it4 ,and he paid ,aunt ,jane for a while4 ,i feel sure he must be dead4 ,and since then they have taken care of me4 ,aunt ,jane thinks ,i ought to be very grateful1 and ,i do want to be4 ,i suppose they could have sent me to the poor-house4 ,oh1 no1 ,uncle ,jason wouldn't4 ,i don't believe ,aunt ,jane would4 ,but does that give them the right to say what ,i shall do or be1 or put me in the shop against my will1 when maybe ,i could earn my own way somewhere else8 ,why no1 ,i do not think it does4 ,you were not even given to them4 ,you certainly have the right to decide some things4 ,and if friends should be willing to help you---- ,i don't want to be ungrateful4 ,i don't want to be snobbish4 ,but ,i like the nice aspects of life so much better than the common things4 ,and ,i wonder now why people do not take naturally to the refinements of life4 ,yet the other people are very happy in their way1 too4 ,i think ,aunt ,jane wouldn't enjoy the manner in which you do things here4 ,she would call it putting on airs4 ,yes1 ,i understand4 ,the world goes on improving1 advancing1 making life more kindly and gracious1 weeding out the roughnesses4 ,it is just as honest and true1 it calls for more self-control1 it is as helpful4 ,of course1 there are selfish people with a good deal of polish1 and there are ignorant people very obstinate and disagreeable4 ,education does not do everything1 but it helps4 ,and if there is an easier or better1 or more enjoyable manner of earning one's living1 ,i do not see why one should not aim at it1 and strive to reach it4 ,oh1 thank you a thousand times4 ,helen's voice broke from very joy4 ,i kept wondering if ,i had the right to do what ,i liked4 ,it will take some courage4 ,but you might try it one year4 ,and ,i am sure there will be friends to help such an ambitious girl4 ,at present we will not say anything about it1 but don't feel troubled4 ,i believe it will come out right4 ,oh1 how good you are6 ,helen pressed the hand she held to her warm1 soft cheek with a mute caress4 ,it seemed to her as if she might be walking on air1 her heart was so light4 ,and still there was a secret sympathy with her aunt for the disappointment4 ,yet1 what real difference could it make to ,aunt ,jane1 whether she taught school1 or worked in a shop4 ,she should not feel better or grander1 only more thoroughly satisfied with her lot in life4 ,and before she took any journeys1 she would pay ,uncle ,jason for these years of care since her father died4 ,that would be her duty for taking her own way4 ,we are going to take up something solid1 said ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 the next morning4 ,i am tired of frivolous novels4 ,we will have a little history1 and learn about places and people1 and what has been done in the world1 and improve our minds4 ,helen looked up with a new and rather surprised interest4 ,there is so much in your mind already1 she returned with the admiration in her voice that was so grateful to the elder woman4 ,oh1 ,i do wonder if ,i shall ever know so many things4 ,there are years for you to study in4 ,i did not know all these things at fourteen4 ,she would never have confessed how little she knew at that period4 ,they stopped now and then to discuss some point1 but ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was going over several other considerations4 ,an ordinary country girl with the sweetest temper in the world would not have given her more than a passing pleasure4 ,this girl was quite out of the ordinary with her intelligence and her quick understanding4 ,she would love all the finer arts of life4 ,her enthusiasm was really infectious4 ,that was what one needed when one was going down the other side of the great divide4 ,and she didn't really belong to anybody4 ,clara would never forget her mother and sisters1 and if they were ill she would want to fly to them4 ,this girl was not comfortable in her home1 she would not sigh for it4 ,and she might adore her1 for there was a kind of worship in her nature4 ,to be adored by a young girl who might have been her grandchild1 the child of the daughter she had longed for and never had4 ,helen glanced up hesitatingly4 ,oh1 ,i'm not asleep1 laughingly4 ,i was thinking4 ,you have a fine voice1 so strong and clear1 and not aggressive4 ,don't you sing8 ,oh1 yes4 ,when ,i am out in the fields ,i sing with the birds4 ,but you have never had lessons in elocution8 ,mr4 ,warfield taught me that the best reading was entering into the spirit of the writer1 imagining yourself in the scenes that are described1 or taking part in any conversation4 ,and he said when ,i recited that last day of school1 ,i must be the ,captains and ,herv ,riel1 just as if ,i was leading in the ships4 ,her face was in a glow1 her eyes luminous4 ,how old is ,mr4 ,warfield8 ,helen ,grant's father had married one of his young pupils1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn remembered4 ,oh1 ,i don't know1 a real young man4 ,he has only been at the ,center a year4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn nodded with her chin1 a way she had4 ,he is quite in earnest about your going to the ,high ,school8 she continued4 ,he thinks ,i could teach1 and ,i should like that so much4 ,she flushed daintily recalling the other half secret she had touched upon with ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,the girl is capable of love and all that nonsense1 thought ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,why should she not come to love her8 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,how ,,they ,,all ,,planned ,helen1 began ,mrs4 ,dayton1 ,i was thinking if you would like to go home on ,saturday and make your visit it might be a good thing4 ,we have made no real plans about the winter as yet1 but we might like to presently4 ,there was a half mirthful1 half meaning light in her eyes4 ,oh6 ,helen said4 ,she was not longing for the visit4 ,her cool reception by her aunt had really hurt her4 ,time is going so fast4 ,why1 here it is only two weeks and a half to ,september4 ,if you think ,i had better1 very soberly4 ,yes1 ,i do4 ,it would look rather underhand if you went home and said nothing when we had settled upon certain intentions4 ,yes1 ,i understand4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn objected1 but when she found it was a matter of duty1 rather than delight1 she gave in with a few little grumbles4 ,uncle ,jason was so full of satisfaction he hugged ,helen to his heart and kissed her4 ,so she said good-by and had a pleasant drive over1 heard all the small on dits of the farm2 that two hens had stolen nests and brought off twenty-three chickens between them2 and old ,bose1 the dog1 had died suddenly1 and they had a mastiff pup eight months old2 that they were building a new fence on the back of the barn lot1 and that there would be no end of apples this fall4 ,he really didn't know what they would do when ,jenny went away1 and he wished girls didn't want to get married4 ,but she1 ,helen1 would come home and that would liven up things a bit4 ,they turned into the lane and when they were by the kitchen she sprang out4 ,one child carried the news to another1 and they huddled about her so that she could hardly walk4 ,here's ,helen1 mother6 ,well1 ,i declare6 ,how do you do1 child6 ,you never could come in a better time6 ,i had a good mind to tell ,uncle ,jason to bring you home1 and ,i guess he just scented it4 ,children1 don't eat ,helen up1 this hot night1 exclaimed their mother4 ,she isn't cooked1 said ,tom4 ,but she'll be stewed or steamed1 and there's plenty for supper4 ,we're going to have a houseful to-morrow4 ,aunt ,sarah and ,uncle ,john and the girls1 and ,martha's beau4 ,she's been long enough about it1 twenty-five1 if she's a day1 and ,i'd been married six years before ,i was as old as that4 ,but she's going to do real well1 though he's a widower with two children4 ,and ,joe as usual4 ,though we all went down there to supper last ,sunday4 ,jenny's going to have things nice1 ,i tell you6 ,did you bring another frock1 ,helen8 ,i've been making ',reely wear out your old clothes4 ,and gracious me6 how you have grown6 ,you won't have a thing to wear in the fall4 ,i left my bundle in the wagon1 as ,aunt ,jane made a little halt in her talk4 ,nat1 you run and get it4 ',reely1 do begin settin' that table4 ',reely isn't worth a rye straw about housework4 ,she's ,mulford all over1 and you've got to keep pushing the ,mulfords along or they'd fall asleep in their tracks4 ,here she's past eleven4 ,my1 the work ,i did when ,i was eleven6 ,now ,helen1 you just put on something commoner and help round a bit and we'll have supper4 ,helen ran upstairs and changed her dress4 ,she was glad of the cordial welcome4 ,but as she looked around she wondered if she had been really content here4 ,did children suddenly come to some mental growth and understanding8 ,whom did she take after8 ,it was queer1 but when ,aunt ,jane said of one child she was all ,cummings1 or all ,mulford1 it was the same heredity that they discussed at ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,where did she get her finer instincts from8 ,for she had them long ago1 only she was afraid to bring them out and have them laughed at4 ,her little white covered cot at ,mrs4 ,dayton's looked so sweet and wholesome1 everything was put in a closet1 the table held a few books1 a work-basket1 often a bowl of flowers4 ,this was all littered up1 the candlestick decorated with piles of grease1 the faded and worn bed quilt put on awry1 shoes here and there1 garments hung anywhere1 and ,fan's dolls and stuff of all kinds in the corner4 ,of course ,jenny's room was more orderly1 but it lacked something1 the suggestion of refinement4 ,uncle ,jason and ,sam had come in1 and it seemed as if the kitchen was full4 ,they scrambled round the table1 pushing and crowding4 ,do keep still1 children6 begged their father4 ',reely1 you haven't put on a bit of salt4 ,i think every time you forget it ,i ought to make you eat a spoonful1 said her mother4 ,i haven't any fork6 declared ,nathan4 ,and if we made her eat a fork1 it might disagree with her1 and we'd have one fork less1 commented ,sam4 ,can't ,i have a piece of bread and butter8 ,why can't we have some butter down here8 cried ,tom4 ,i'll spread it for you4 ,sam1 will you please pass me the butter8 said ,helen in a quiet tone4 ,me too1 ,helen1 entreated ,fanny1 holding up her piece of bread4 ,it's so nice to have you again1 and ',reely squeezed ,helen's arm4 ,uncle ,jason helped to the meat and potatoes4 ,there was a great clatter of passing plates1 and the confusion of several voices at a time4 ,aunt ,jane scolded1 then she gave ,tom a slap4 ,there comes ,joe and ,jen1 announced ,sam4 ,jenny left work at four on ,saturday and went to the house4 ,joe was keeping himself1 and they had a cup of tea1 some bread and butter1 cold meat and blackberries together4 ,how do1 ,helen4 ,you're a big stranger4 ,let's sit out on the porch1 ,joe4 ,i'll bring some sewing4 ,that's the most industrious girl in the country1 said ,joe with a laugh4 ,i shall have to buy goods by the bale to keep her in work4 ,some way they did get through with the meal1 ,uncle ,jason and ,sam first1 then one by one straggling out4 ,helen helped put away the food and said she would wash the dishes1 and ,aurelia and ,fan might dry them4 ,why couldn't ,aunt ,jane go out on the porch and take a rest8 ,i'm tired as a dog4 ,i've gone since half past four this morning4 ,there was so much to do4 ,i declare1 ,helen1 your coming over was just a special providence4 ,when ,i get hold of you again1 ,i'll see that no one coaxes you away4 ,i was a fool to consent to it4 ,but you'll soon be home now4 ,yes1 go out and get cooled off and rested4 ,aunt ,jane was really glad to4 ,helen kept the two girls busy until the things were put away and the kitchen tidied up4 ,the fire was out and the room getting cooler4 ,the girls clung so to ,helen1 that she felt as if she would be torn in two4 ,and sitting on the steps they wanted to know about the queer old woman1 and didn't ,mrs4 ,dayton make a pile of money8 ',reely thought when she was grown up she would keep boarders and have a servant4 ,did ,joanna do everything8 ,oh1 no4 ,mrs4 ,dayton helps1 and ,i do a good many things when ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn does not want me4 ,is she very cross8 ,oh1 no1 with a laugh of amusement4 ,not as cross as mother8 with childish frankness4 ,you all annoy ,aunt ,jane so1 returned ,helen4 ,if you would go at once and do as she tells you1 and try to remember4 ,but ,i forget so easily1 moaned ,aurelia4 ,and ,i just hate to work4 ,what would you like to do8 ,play1 and go out in the woods1 and nutting4 ,oh1 when will it be nut time8 ,and then there's school4 ,one can't play forever unless one wants to be a dunce4 ,i like dolls1 interposed ,fanny4 ,and ,i'm making clothes for them4 ,oh1 have you any pretty pieces8 ,it's time you youngsters went to bed1 declared their mother4 ,where's ,helen going to sleep8 ,don't you worry about ,helen4 ,the girls came and kissed her4 ,then she sat in the fragrant dusk and heard a whippoor-will2 and ,uncle ,jason and ,joe ,northrup comparing crops1 and telling yields of certain years4 ,aunt ,jane fell asleep in the quiet4 ,jenny came down to her step and asked about styles1 and what was in the stores1 and if prices had gone down4 ,joe went home presently1 and ,jenny said1 ,now come4 ,you're going to sleep with me4 ,this'll be your room when ,i'm gone4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i suppose some day you'll be married1 too4 ,don't you take a fellow unless he has a house to put you in4 ,helen felt in a strange whirl1 but after awhile she slept4 ,and ,sunday morning was all confusion again4 ,joe and ,jenny and ,sam went to church2 the company came1 and ,helen helped with the dinner1 making the table look so pretty and tidy1 that the dining-room was very pleasant4 ,the four younger children were out in the kitchen1 and once ,aunt ,jane had to go out and administer slaps all round to quell a riot4 ,martha and her lover were very staid and sedate4 ,jane1 the younger sister1 was rather flighty1 and plied ,helen with innumerable questions about ,north ,hope4 ,she had heard the young girls went out every day to see the stores and catch the beaus as they came home from work4 ,and did the people in her house have dancing parties every ,saturday night8 ,she had read in some magazine that it was the fashion to do so4 ,the two mothers were much engrossed with the coming marriages4 ,the young people walked down to see ,jenny's house2 there was a light supper1 and then they said good-by to each other4 ,it seemed to ,helen she had never been so happy in her life as when she was once more settled in her round at ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,the order and quietness1 the nice adjustment that she was beginning to understand and appreciate2 the bright talk that went to outside subjects and did not revolve in one small personal round1 was so much more interesting4 ,true1 ,mrs4 ,lessing and her daughter discussed clothes1 and the other ladies joined in1 but it was on the sthetic and artistic side4 ,they talked of so many other things--daily events outside of ,north ,hope4 ,that was not all their world4 ,it was the larger world that so interested ,helen4 ,she and ,mrs4 ,dayton discussed some possibilities4 ,when ,mrs4 ,dayton went away1 ,mr4 ,conway slept in the house1 and took his meals elsewhere1 but even if ,helen could attend to the house it would not be possible to leave her alone in it4 ,then there would be clothes and various expenses4 ,it was not as easy a matter to settle as it looked4 ,of course there was a sort of adoption of ,helen1 but ,mrs4 ,dayton was not quite sure she wanted the responsibility4 ,she had worked through a good deal of pressure herself1 and was now where she could enjoy some of the pleasures of life as a compensation4 ,there might be found a neighbor who would be glad of ,helen's assistance--she would offer to provide her clothes4 ,helen had settled herself at her reading one morning1 when ,mrs4 ,disbrowe just paused at the door with her baby in her arms1 and nodded to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,excuse me for interrupting1 but there is a young man down on the porch who wishes to see ,helen4 ,he would not come in4 ,helen glanced up in amaze1 then smiled1 as she raised her eyes to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,i think it is the young man from the library4 ,perhaps he found the book you wanted4 ,ah--that is quite likely4 ,run down and see4 ,helen put her marker in1 and laid down her book4 ,but when she reached the porch and the caller rose from the wicker rocker1 she stretched out both her hands with a glad cry of surprise3 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,warfield6 ,he glanced at her1 held her off and studied her again4 ,why1 you have grown or changed or something1 he exclaimed in surprise4 ,and it has only been such a little while6 ,you look as if you were really glad to see me1 and the smile gave him such a cordial expression4 ,oh1 ,i am4 ,you can't think how glad4 ,and it is so unexpected---- ,her voice was fairly alive with delight4 ,i crossed ten days sooner than ,i had planned4 ,a friend wanted some papers which were in my possession1 and ,i had to come out here for them4 ,so ,i reached the ,center just in time for supper1 and went over to your uncle's in the evening4 ,there was an odd expression in his face--amusement and annoyance it seemed1 and as if he was quite at sea4 ,then he said almost abruptly1 ,let us sit down4 ,there is a good deal of talking to do--or very little1 as the case may turn1 in a rather dry tone4 ,excuse me1 while ,i go up and explain to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,oh1 ,i have so much to say1 too4 ,so many things have happened to me4 ,she was off like a flash1 but he noted the grace of her movement2 the air that showed she had capabilities beyond the usual untrained country girl4 ,would she have to be wasted on a second or third rate life8 ,i suppose you have done nothing with the papers ,i gave you1 he began1 when she returned4 ,i have heard of your driving around1 and your dissipation4 ,oh1 but ,i have1 she replied eagerly4 ,then she gave a bright infectious laugh4 ,you can't think--why it seems now as if ,i had been at school all summer4 ,i have learned so many new things about the world and the people in it4 ,i have read books and papers1 and found out about the places where you have been4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn has been--well1 nearly all over the world1 ,i believe1 and she has met musicians and artists1 and people who write books and poems1 and has seen kings and queens---- ,then you haven't spent all the time reading novels8 ,i was afraid you had4 ,but your aunt--have you any idea of keeping on at school8 ,they do not want me to1 she answered gravely4 ,but ,mrs4 ,dayton thinks they have no real right to decide for me1 if ,i can do anything for myself4 ,and why isn't it just as good and honorable for a girl to work for her education when she is hungry for the knowledges in the world1 as for a boy6 ,and if ,i can do anything1 don't you think they ought to consent8 ,well6 well6 well6 his exclamation points were in full evidence4 ,he studied her brave eager face1 it had in it certain strong earnest lines1 certain lines of prettiness1 too4 ,all before her was an unknown country4 ,no one could truly map out another's life1 and be sure of the making1 but he knew he should not mar it as the ,mulfords might in their ignorance of her desires and capabilities4 ,he resolved to take a decisive hand in it4 ,you don't want to go back to the ,center8 ,he knew what her answer would be1 but he desired to see the varying expressions of her face4 ,no1 ,i don't4 ,oh1 ,i can't6 ,i should be fighting with something within me all the time1 and planning how to get out of it all4 ,i want to learn4 ,i want to teach1 too4 ,i want to see some of the great things in the world1 some of the great people1 and just live all through1 every part of me1 if you can understand4 ,how her face changed with every new thought4 ,really you have been making strides4 ,helen1 you are not going to be satisfied with a holiday to see ,belle ,aurore4 ,you are going to ask greater things4 ,and ,herv ,riel ought to have been given greater things when he had saved the ships for his country4 ,am ,i foolish to aim at the greater things8 ,her eyes were sparkling1 and a brilliant color suffused her face1 while the scarlet lips were quivering with emotion and resolve4 ,i should like you to reach them4 ,have you any plans8 ,his interest was thoroughly awakened4 ,mrs4 ,dayton has been so kind1 a real friend4 ,i don't mean that ,aunt ,jane and ,uncle ,jason are not real friends4 ,they have been very good to care for me since father died4 ,isn't it in not understanding just what satisfies you down in your soul4 ,jenny is very happy working in the factory4 ,i should just hate it4 ,and1 oh1 ,i think it would be dreadful for her to sit and read to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 laughing with a gay ripple4 ,we have talked1 but not settled upon anything definite4 ,mrs4 ,dayton thinks she might find someone who would give me my board for what ,i could do nights and mornings and ,saturdays1 and she would help me out with clothes1 for ,i know ,aunt ,jane would be very angry if ,i went against her wishes4 ,and ,mrs4 ,dayton wouldn't need me4 ,she has ,joanna1 you know4 ,then1 too1 she goes away in the autumn---- ,well1 ,i must say you have gone pretty far along in plans4 ,i felt quite discouraged last night1 though ,i imagine ,i might have talked ,uncle ,jason into doing something for you4 ,but your aunt thinks three years spent in learning to teach1 and not being able to earn a dollar for yourself1 is an awful waste of time4 ,as if that was all there was to it6 disdainfully4 ,helen1 ,i could find it in my heart to wish you were my sister1 then ,i could come to the rescue4 ,oh6 ,there was a world of exquisite delight in the tone that touched him to the very soul4 ,if ,i were6 ,why can't some people be in the places they would like8 ,some people are6 with an odd humorous laugh4 ,and it is the dissatisfaction that stirs you up2 makes you ambitious4 ,what is it that keeps up the dissatisfaction8 glancing at him with the smile still on her parted lips1 yet full of perplexity4 ,the knowledge that you are capable of doing something better1 finer4 ,if you were deficient in that1 you could go to work cheerfully in the factory4 ,you would enjoy associating with the girls4 ,and then having a beau and marrying1 she laughed4 ,oh1 ,i like books so much better1 and knowing about the world4 ,what of the examination papers4 ,have you found any time for them8 ,oh1 yes4 ,there were some books in the library that helped4 ,and such a splendid encyclopdia6 ,i wrote them out once1 and then ,i read a great deal more1 and wrote them over again4 ,i'll give them to you1 and you must consider how good a chance ,i have of passing4 ,oh1 if ,i should fail6 ,you could go in later on4 ,i do not think you will4 ,i have wondered about you so many times this summer1 and ,i have always seen you under the disadvantages of the ,center1 and the few helps you would have4 ,you might have written me a letter4 ,oh1 did you mean that ,i should8 ,she asked it in sweet1 eager unconsciousness1 which showed that it would have been a pleasure4 ,he had not suggested it from a wonder as to whether ,aunt ,jane would approve4 ,i should have enjoyed an answer about your new life1 he replied with interest4 ,i am very glad this happened to you instead of an uneventful summer on the farm and retrograding1 ,i am afraid4 ,and you like this--old lady1 he was about to say1 but checked himself--this ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,it's something more than like4 ,i cannot describe it in any word1 that ,i know1 unless it is like something ,i was reading a few days ago1 fascination4 ,when she talks about the places and people she has seen it seems as if ,i could listen forever4 ,and then1 you may think this queer1 and she colored vividly1 sometimes ,i like ,mrs4 ,dayton the best4 ,i wish ,i didn't change about so4 ,it is the same with books4 ,am ,i very inconstant1 fickle8 ,if we couldn't change our minds1 think what fossils we should soon be1 and he laughed good-humoredly4 ,yes1 ,i should like to see her4 ,she started1 then she came back a step4 ,i have not really talked over the plan of--of earning my way with her1 and her voice fell a little4 ,mrs4 ,dayton thought it best not to say anything until we had some certainty4 ,she is going away soon4 ,her real companion comes next week4 ,he nodded that he understood the delicate charge4 ,and where is ,mrs4 ,dayton8 ,she went to market1 and to do various errands4 ,i should like you to talk to her about it4 ,yes1 ,i want to1 he replied decisively4 ,helen went upstairs and was gone quite a while4 ,he was thinking of the bright1 earnest1 energetic girl1 willing to work her way4 ,he must plan it out with ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,she was the one girl out of fifty who could rise above circumstances4 ,yet her aunt would be more than vexed1 positively angry4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn experienced a curious pang1 when the girl's face brilliant with a definite emotion1 flashed upon her with ardor in every line4 ,what had moved her so8 ,the eyes were luminous1 the voice freighted with a new depth4 ,yes1 she answered stiffly4 ,i must see this young man--he is young1 isn't he8 ,it seems to me he has been making a long call4 ,oh1 we had so much to talk about1 my summer here and all its pleasures1 and the knowledge4 ,why1 ,i told him ,i felt as if ,i had been at school all the time1 ,i had learned so many things from you1 and that you---- ,she paused and flushed1 wondering if the talk had been just right in the more delicate sense4 ,that ,i was cross and queer1 and full of whims---- ,oh1 ,i couldn't say that4 ,it was about your journeys1 and the people you had met4 ,and he was so interested4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was mollified1 and added a few touches to her toilet1 picked up a fleecy scarf1 came downstairs with her hand on ,helen's shoulder1 and was duly presented4 ,the man was young4 ,but the lady was an agreeable surprise4 ,he had been a little biased by ,aunt ,jane1 he admitted to himself4 ,she was like some of the fine old ladies he had met abroad1 who carried their age with a serene unconsciousness4 ,mrs4 ,dayton was coming up the path1 and gave them a little nod4 ,perhaps she would like your service a while1 ,helen1 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,i should enjoy having a little talk with your friend4 ,helen rose reluctantly4 ,she would much rather have stayed4 ,but in five minutes she was in full flow of an interested confidence with ,mrs4 ,dayton1 and then they sat down on the north corner of the kitchen porch1 and peeled peaches for the luncheon1 as it was getting late4 ,mr4 ,warfield meant to suggest several things to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn that could tend to ,helen's benefit presently4 ,she resolved to learn what he thought of the child's capabilities for advancement4 ,in a certain way1 though1 they both parried skillfully1 each gained a point1 yet it was not the point ,mr4 ,warfield set out to make4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,successful ,they chatted a little after the meal was over1 and ,mr4 ,warfield asked ,helen to get her papers1 and let him see how she had made out with them4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn gave him a pleasant good-by1 and said she must go and take her daily nap1 the best preventive of old age that she knew4 ,her smile was over the fact that she held the winning card1 and now she had resolved to play for the girl4 ,it was more entertaining4 ,helen brought her papers1 very nicely written1 and ,mr4 ,warfield admitted well prepared4 ,there were but few corrections to be made4 ,then he smiled1 and said in a tone he meant to be comforting1 if the matter was not3 ,perhaps you know1 ,helen1 you cannot use these4 ,some were last year's questions1 some ,i guessed at1 though ,i believe ,i hit two rightly4 ,you sit down in the room1 at the table1 and a list is given you1 and you write out your answers from your own interior knowledge1 with no helps from books or friends4 ,helen glanced up in dismay1 her rosy cheek paled1 her lip had a suspicious quiver4 ,but ,i thought---- and she looked at the discarded papers1 over which she had taken so much pains4 ,my dear child1 ,i wanted you to put in practice what you had already learned4 ,vacation is a trying time to the memory1 unless one resolves the subject in one's mind4 ,it would have been better for you to come up at once for the examination1 but ,i didn't see how it was to be managed4 ,indeed1 last night ,i confess ,i did not see how the plan could be carried through1 and ,i am surprised at your courage and energy4 ,then the papers are of no use1 she commented in a tone of disappointment4 ,they have been of a good deal of use in mental training4 ,you will find it much easier to write on kindred subjects4 ,and ,i must say you have had a fortunate summer2 so much better than anything ,i had anticipated for you4 ,you have shown commendable courage in taking a step many girls would have shrunk from4 ,i am sure that you will succeed1 and some way we must all make it possible for you to go through the ,high ,school4 ,i feel confident that ,providence will smile on our efforts4 ,she glanced up soberly4 ,you would have gone without hesitation when school closed in the summer8 ,oh1 yes4 ,then she laughed4 ,she was the wholesome sort of girl1 who could laugh at herself4 ,that was because ,i knew so little4 ,and since ,i have found how much knowledge of every kind there is in the world1 mine seems so small4 ,i am afraid ,i don't want to compare myself with the people who know less1 and those who know more seem so far ahead of me1 she subjoined frankly4 ,that need not take away one's courage4 ,at eight and twenty you will know a good deal more1 at eight and forty if you use life rightly1 you will have discarded a good deal of the youthful knowledge1 and taken on maturer thoughts4 ,schooldays do not end with the close of a school for vacation4 ,you observe that goes on after a little rest4 ,and the real scholars go on4 ,all life is a school4 ,i did some hard studying the fortnight ,i was in ,london4 ,i shall do some more this winter4 ,there is always something ahead of the one who loves knowledge4 ,he had a very encouraging smile for those who deserved it4 ,he could frown as well1 she knew1 and this particular smile was used with discrimination2 it was not the every-day pleasant look4 ,so you will go next ,tuesday4 ,louise ,searing did not pass4 ,she will keep you company4 ,i must leave for ,new ,york in the train at four1 and cannot be back before ,wednesday4 ,but ,i shall be thinking of you1 and for my sake you must not fail4 ,you see1 it helps or hinders my reputation4 ,i want all my five candidates to pass4 ,there have never more than three gone from the ,center school before4 ,i will try my best1 she returned4 ,the thought that she would do something for him inspired her as well4 ,so they said good-by1 and she went out to the kitchen4 ,two baskets of tempting ,bartlett pears had come1 and ,mrs4 ,dayton1 with a big kitchen apron on1 and her sleeves rolled up1 was beginning to pare them4 ,as soon as ,joanna had done the dishes she would can4 ,if you wouldn't mind helping1 ,helen4 ,put that big kitchen sacque over your dress1 and button the sleeves around your wrists4 ,pear juice stains dreadfully4 ,and then we will talk about the plans4 ,mr4 ,warfield is a delightful gentleman to meet1 and he is very much interested in you4 ,if ,helen was two or three years older1 she might repeat her mother's destiny1 the lady thought1 and ,mr4 ,warfield was a much more attractive man than ,addison ,grant4 ,they discussed the examination1 and ,mrs4 ,dayton endeavored to inspire her with hope1 and she was confident a place could be found for ,helen4 ,but how to get the folks at home to consent to any such step will be the puzzle4 ,as soon as we know about the examination ,i will have a talk with your uncle4 ,i think ,i can persuade him to look upon the plan in the best light for you1 and you can stay here all ,september4 ,but there will be ,jenny's wedding about the middle of the month1 ,aunt said4 ,and on the tenth the ,high ,school opens4 ,oh1 dear6 ,my schooldays seem a great perplexity1 and ,helen gave a vague smile4 ,some girls' lives run on so smoothly1 but mine appears full of upsets4 ,take courage and go on4 ,i think it will come out right4 ,but ,i shall not make a single plan until you have passed the examination4 ,then ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's bell rang4 ,helen slipped off her sacque1 washed her hands1 and suddenly bent down and kissed ,mrs4 ,dayton's forehead4 ,oh1 she cried with deep tenderness1 ,i wish ,i had a mother6 ,i wish you were my mother4 ,mrs4 ,dayton looked after her1 as she flashed through the dining room4 ,all her motions were light and rapid1 yet she never ran over chairs1 or bumped up against doors or corners4 ,it was a grace born in her1 and ,mrs4 ,dayton wondered that it had not all been wrenched out of her by the crude bustling life at the ,mulfords'4 ,and she wondered how it would seem to have a daughter growing up who would love her and care for her4 ,helen was overflowing with gratitude1 and one of the best features of it was that it abounded in deeds rather than words4 ,she always wanted to do something in return1 she often did it without stopping to inquire1 daily little things that evinced thoughtfulness4 ,after all1 her three years' board would hardly be felt1 there would be the summer vacation4 ,only1 if she should be sent away somewhere to teach afterward4 ,but there would be three pleasant years4 ,she could afford to do it now1 she had gone past the pinches1 and was putting by a little every year4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 upstairs on her couch in the comfort of a dressing sacque1 was amusing herself with plans as well4 ,she did like to enjoy outgeneraling people4 ,and this young ,mr4 ,warfield's confidence rather piqued her4 ,the same thought had entered her mind that this enthusiastic girl might repeat her mother's story1 and she had a fancy that it had been one of disappointment4 ,years ago the daughter of a cousin1 the only relative who had ever befriended her1 after a prosperous married life of a dozen years' duration1 was thrown on her own endeavors for a livelihood1 with two little girls4 ,she had a beautiful house in a pretty1 refined town1 but there was a considerable mortgage on it4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had come to her assistance2 she was not all selfishness4 ,with a little aid1 ,mrs4 ,aldred had established herself in a day and boarding school1 had added to her house1 and become the pride of the pretty town of ,westchester4 ,one act of ,mrs4 ,aldred had gone to her old cousin's heart4 ,she had paid the whole sum loaned1 interest and principal1 and sent the most heartfelt thanks4 ,she was a prosperous and happy woman1 and her girls were growing up into usefulness1 one was teaching1 the other would be an artist4 ,there was no hint or suggestion that she should like to be remembered in anyone's will1 or would be grateful for any gift4 ,the principle of the incident really touched ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 who paid ,mrs4 ,aldred a visit1 and on her departure left her what she called a little gift in token of her courage and business ability1 a check for a thousand dollars4 ,i'm going to take the good of what ,i have1 she announced with a rather grim smile1 so ,i shall have the less to leave behind when ,i die4 ,that had been five years ago4 ,now ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had written to know if the school was still prosperous1 and what the terms were1 and if she would take the supervision of an orphan girl who was ambitious1 eager1 capable of many things1 a girl full of bright promise1 amiable in temper1 who was to be trained to get her own living if that came to her1 but accomplished for society1 if that should be her lot4 ,after her talk with ,mr4 ,warfield she had made up her mind4 ,he should not have his way in this matter4 ,she would try her hand1 or her money with this girl4 ,she was going abroad again for the next year or two1 and she would give ,helen two years of education under ,mrs4 ,aldred's supervision4 ,then she would decide if she wanted her1 and in what capacity4 ,fourteen only4 ,twenty would be young enough to marry4 ,she would have six years of interest4 ,if the girl came to love her very much---- ,the poor old heart had a hungering for ardent love1 as well as admiration4 ,and ,helen ,grant was grateful4 ,to rescue her from a distasteful life like that at her uncle's1 or a life of drudgery working her way through school would appeal to her1 for ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had discerned that the girl had a great hungry heart for all the accessories of finer living1 though she did not know what the vague restless stirring within meant4 ,the carriage paused at the gate4 ,help me into my waist1 she said to ,helen4 ,i've dawdled my time away finely4 ,what have you been doing8 ,peeling pears for canning1 she replied merrily4 ,mrs4 ,dayton picked out a dish of lovely ones for you1 and put them in a cool place4 ,they are luscious4 ,i wonder if you would like to have one now8 ,oh1 no4 ,that will be something to think of when ,i come back4 ,the wind has blown up a little cooler1 and ,i am glad4 ,get my bonnet1 and the blue wrap4 ,they went downstairs together1 and were helped into the coup4 ,to the ,postoffice first1 she said4 ,we will wait on ourselves this time4 ,mr4 ,conway always brought the mail up at six1 though it reached ,hope at three4 ,your friend1 ,mr4 ,warfield1 is going to the city8 ,he is very earnest that you shall take the examination4 ,how do you expect to arrange about the ,high ,school8 ,you will have to live here at ,north ,hope4 ,helen colored vividly1 and a half-humorous smile parted her lips1 and made dimples in the corners4 ,i shall have to earn my own living someway1 she answered courageously4 ,aunt ,mulford will be much opposed to it1 but ,i think ,uncle will see before long that it will be best4 ,mrs4 ,dayton will be a very good friend to me4 ,it all turns on my passing the examinations successfully4 ,and if you should not8 ,then ,i must go back to the ,center4 ,but ,i would have another chance by the first of ,january4 ,and ,i have quite resolved that if ,i do not accomplish it this year ,i will try next summer4 ,there was a charm in her courage and perseverance4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn thought she had never looked prettier4 ,she could not have taken so cordially to a plain girl4 ,they reached the ,postoffice4 ,helen sprang out1 and came back with an eager smile and three letters4 ,then they turned into an old shady street1 and drove slowly4 ,one was from her lawyer in the city4 ,the matter she had written of could be easily adjusted4 ,the next was in ,miss ,gage's fine1 almost old-fashioned hand4 ,everything had gone on well1 and she would come on ,wednesday1 prepared to go abroad1 or anywhere at ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's behest4 ,a very suitable letter1 but there was no suggestion of that wider living outside of her own home relations4 ,she was an admirable companion1 an excellent nurse for small ailments2 she gave good value for what she received1 but there was no refreshment of enthusiasm that had warmed her old heart toward this girl who seemed to rouse and stir one's thoughts1 and give a breath of sweetness4 ,the third was from ,mrs4 ,aldred1 who would be glad to do anything for her relative4 ,she was fond of girls1 especially those who were bright and capable of advancement4 ,she would insure her a home and training for the next two years1 and fit her for either position1 look after her clothing1 and make her as happy as possible4 ,hers was in reality a home school4 ,her circle was complete with thirty boarders1 all of whom were of unexceptional character1 and ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn need not be afraid to trust her protge at ,aldred ,house1 nor fear that any confidence would be misplaced4 ,she had meant to lay the matter before ,helen this very afternoon1 then she suddenly changed her mind4 ,if the examination went against her1 she would be the more grateful1 if in her favor1 it would be a card at ,mrs4 ,aldred's4 ,she would let the others plan1 and amuse herself with upsetting their confident arrangements4 ,so they talked1 instead1 about places4 ,helen never tired of listening4 ,her vivid imagination pictured the scenes1 while here she smiled a little1 there her straight brows drew together in a little frown of condemnation1 then the heroic appealed to her4 ,it was so pretty to note the changes4 ,two years from this time would she be anxious about gowns and trinkets and frivolity of all kinds8 ,girls were risky creatures before their characters were really formed4 ,yes1 it would be wise not to commit one's self too far to draw back1 or substitute other plans4 ,when is your old lady going away8 asked ,uncle ,jason1 when he came in on ,saturday4 ,mother thinks she can't spare you more than next week4 ,there's the house to clean1 and the weddin' cake to make1 and the children have to have new clothes1 and goodness only knows all4 ,but ,i was to have her a week in ,september1 said ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,if ,jenny is to be home---- ,well1 she'll be over to her house gettin' ready4 ,we didn't make any such fuss when we were married4 ,we got spliced and looked after things afterward4 ,well1 ,helen--how is it8 ,i'm afraid you're 'most spoiled for living among common folks any more4 ,helen's face was scarlet1 as she glanced into this roughened sun-burned one4 ,you've come to be such a lady1 he went on admiringly4 ,mebbe it wasn't for the best4 ,you really ought to be somewhere else and grow up into the kind of women there is in stories4 ,and your hands are so soft1 there isn't a freckle in your face4 ,there's mighty little ,mulford about you6 ,oh1 ,uncle ,jason6 ,she flung her soft arms about his neck1 immeasurably touched by the tone of his voice4 ,her eyes shone with the tenderness of tears4 ,she laid her fond lips to his rough cheek with a delicate caress4 ,whatever comes1 she began1 after a pause1 remember that ,i do sincerely love you1 and that ,i believe you would be willing to do the best for me if it was in your power4 ,your head's level there1 child1 with a tremble in his voice1 and he kissed her fondly1 a rare thing with him4 ,she watched him as he went down the path and climbed into the old wagon4 ,i feel mean1 and underhand1 and deceitful1 she cried passionately1 turning to ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,i like to live along just on the square1 and how the thing will ever get told1 and whether ,aunt ,jane will let me stay1 and whether it is all right1 and why you should want things that seem out of your reach1 and why someone should rise up and forbid you mounting the ladder that stands just at hand--oh dear6 and ,helen burst into a flood of tears4 ,you can tell it all next week4 ,there's been nothing especially underhand4 ,people don't usually get out on the housetops and proclaim the things they think of doing4 ,and ,mr4 ,warfield will be back4 ,we shall all be ranged on your side4 ,poor ,uncle ,jason6 ,and ,i haven't finished grating the corn for the fritters4 ,the cold tongue looks splendid4 ,and the cold chicken4 ,then we give people scalding hot fritters4 ,she was merry and arch again in a moment4 ,sunday was soft and rainy1 the sort of day one lounged about4 ,monday ,mrs4 ,griggs came to wash1 and as there were pears to pickle ,helen helped with the ironing4 ,tuesday she trudged off to school with a beating heart4 ,louise ,searing was there1 one girl and two boys from the ,north ,hope school who had been conditioned4 ,i don't see what you can do if you do get in1 ,helen ,grant1 said ,louise4 ,i'm going to stay with ,betty all the week--this was her married sister4 ,or has ,mrs4 ,dayton promised to keep you8 ,that rich old lady is going away1 isn't she8 ,how did you like living out this summer8 ,i went up in the mountains with ma4 ,there were some young fellows and we had lots of fun4 ,hush6 said a teacher entering4 ,papers and pencils were distributed1 the children placed far enough apart to prevent collusion4 ,the lady took a seat at the desk4 ,helen looked over her questions4 ,two were from the last year's list1 she saw with joy1 and she jotted down the answers carefully4 ,the two problems she solved4 ,the analysis rather puzzled her4 ,one of the great seaports of the country1 and of ,europe4 ,the notable travelers in ,africa4 ,hannibal's journey across the ,alps1 his conquests and his stay at ,brutium4 ,just a week ago they had been reading ,hannibal's wonderful story1 and his fifteen years' menace of ,rome4 ,how glad she was6 ,a rather stern looking man came in and took his seat by the lady4 ,as the slips were finished they were signed and passed up4 ,by noon ,helen had answered five1 when they were dismissed until two o'clock4 ,as ,helen passed across the room the lady signaled to her1 and handed her three of the slips4 ,she fairly clutched them in her hand and hurried away lest ,louise should speak to her4 ,she did not dare open them4 ,when she reached home1 ,mrs4 ,dayton was sugaring blackberries and placing the dishes on the waiter4 ,oh1 ,helen6 ,you look roasted6 ,i walked so fast4 ,oh1 will you look at these8 ,i have not had the courage4 ,i have done five1 there are four more1 she cried breathlessly4 ,you poor child6 ,why1 ,helen1 these are all right4 ,it is splendid4 ,helen dropped on a chair and wanted to cry from the sudden relief4 ,you foolish girl1 to prolong your anxiety4 ,here1 take a fan and get some of the redness out of your face4 ,i can't go in to lunch4 ,afterward ,i will go up and tell ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,please do not say a word about me1 she entreated4 ,joanna brought her a glass of iced lemonade1 and she thanked her with overflowing eyes4 ,then she looked at the slips of paper and smiled4 ,that was only three out of nine4 ,what if the others should be adverse6 ,she had a little lunch in the far end of the kitchen by the open window1 and quite recovered her spirits4 ,it seemed as if the ladies would never get done talking over the table4 ,their loitering never fretted ,mrs4 ,dayton1 and ,joanna had her lunch in the between time4 ,when the coast was clear she tripped upstairs smiling and steady of nerve1 now4 ,and it was so fortunate that we read about ,hannibal1 she exclaimed1 joyously4 ,i knew1 of course1 that he crossed the ,alps and menaced ,rome1 but if we hadn't read the history ,i should have been at a great loss to know just what to say4 ,and one question about the ,italian poets4 ,it seems to me ,i have been learning all summer from you4 ,i was a real ignoramus1 wasn't ,i1 except in mathematics4 ,i owe you so much6 ,she squeezed the soft wrinkled hands in hers1 so plump and warm4 ,her heartsome cheery voice penetrated deeper into the poor old soul than anything had done in a long while4 ,she would owe her a good deal more in time4 ,and she wondered about taking her abroad now4 ,they could find teachers in plenty4 ,now ,i must go back to my four other questions4 ,just pray that ,i shall not fail anywhere4 ,i have a feeling that you will succeed4 ,two of the girls did not get through at four1 but begged to stay1 and it seemed hardly worth while to break another day1 unless there were some new applicants4 ,helen remained4 ,she saw her answers piled up by themselves4 ,then ,miss ,dowling beckoned her4 ,you are an excellent student1 she exclaimed1 and you have had a very fine teacher in ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,i think we must get him over here4 ,you have missed only one question1 and you go in with flying colors4 ,i wish you were to be in my class1 but ,i shall have to wait for you until next year4 ,you live at the ,center8 ,you will have to come up to us4 ,the girl's eyes sparkled with delight at the commendation1 and she expressed her gratification in a very pretty manner4 ,miss ,dowling was exceedingly interested in her4 ,i like those ambitious girls who are not puffed-up with vanity1 she said to ,mr4 ,steele4 ,helen ,grant4 ,do you know any ,grants at the ,center8 ,no4 ,and the ,center is the dullest of all the ,hopes4 ,we must find out about this bright and shining light4 ,i'll take these papers home and look them over1 and call around about nine4 ,miss ,dowling nodded4 ,it's just too mean for anything6 declared ,louise ,searing4 ,i'm not sure that ,i shall even squeeze in1 ,i've lost so many marks4 ,i always did think ,mr4 ,warfield was partial to you1 and it isn't fair4 ,i've been studying all summer1 returned ,helen4 ,and working at ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,for goodness sake what did you do8 ,and ,i can tell you it will make a difference with the real ,high ,school girls4 ,some here at ,north ,hope are very stylish4 ,so it is true you were out carriage riding half the time8 ,the tone was unpleasant1 half envious4 ,i went out with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 and read to her1 and did little errands4 ,her real companion comes to-morrow4 ,and about the middle of ,september they are going to ,europe4 ,oh6 ,louise opened her eyes wide1 rather nonplussed4 ,hope people did not often go to ,europe4 ,and if companions were taken1 then it wasn't so bad to be a companion4 ,perhaps it wouldn't be wise to begin to snub ,helen ,grant just now4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,mrs4 ,,van ,,dorn',s ,,winning ,,hand ,helen was sitting on an ottoman and leaning her arms lightly on ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's knees that had a soft wrap thrown over them4 ,she fancied she felt little twinges of neuralgia in them now and then2 ,august nights were damp4 ,they had been talking about the successful examination4 ,helen had proved the heroine of the dinner hour4 ,mr4 ,pratt admitted that he could not have answered half of the questions4 ,mrs4 ,disbrowe said she went into the ,high ,school of her town on quite as good a record4 ,mrs4 ,lessing said she did not see the need of half the tests1 or of ,college education for women4 ,the most satisfying destiny for a woman was a good marriage and she was quite sure men didn't care for learned women4 ,you have been a very nice1 cheerful1 ready girl all summer1 ,helen4 ,you really have been a great pleasure to me1 said the lady4 ,i am very glad4 ,helen's voice was full of emotion1 and she gave the wrinkled hands a soft caress4 ,it has been a delightful time to me4 ,i am so glad ,mrs4 ,dayton thought of me when there were so many nice girls in the world4 ,it seems to me as if ,i was brimming over with happiness4 ,she could feel the thrill in the young hands4 ,ah1 if she had found ,helen just as she was now1 ten years ago4 ,but she was good for many years yet1 and she would have her sweet young life1 her charming womanhood4 ,would you feel very much disappointed if you didn't go to the ,high ,school8 ,oh1 ,i think now1 it would break my heart4 ,but if something better offered8 ,oh1 could there be anything better8 ,can't you think of anything better8 ,the girl was silent4 ,in her narrow life there had not been much room for dreams of real betterment4 ,think1 all around the world4 ,well1 with a half laugh and a sound like a sigh not going very deep1 there would be travel all round the world4 ,i hope some day to earn money enough to go--well ,i'll take ,london first4 ,then ,paris1 but ,i do not believe ,i shall want to stay there long1 for you see ,i shall not have a great deal of money4 ,and then ,rome1 dear delightful ,rome1 with all its old haunts1 where its poets have lived and died4 ,and that isn't half1 is it8 ,is any life long enough to see it all8 ,her face was in a glow of enthusiasm1 her eyes deep and luminous4 ,the woman had not begun very early in life and she had seen a good deal of it4 ,she had heard hundreds of people wish for things1 but very few who were willing to earn them1 like this girl who had so little envy in her composition4 ,suppose someone would say to you1 here is a school where you can be taught all the higher branches as well1 music1 drawing1 painting1 literature and all the pretty society ways that make one feel at home in any company4 ,would you go8 ,oh1 that is like a fairy dream1 and she laughed with charming softness4 ,why1 ,i am afraid to look at it lest ,i should want it4 ,that isn't answering my question4 ,she raised her face and studied the one above her4 ,it was wrinkled and the eyes were a faded blue-gray4 ,she did not guess the eyebrows were penciled1 the lips tinted1 that the hair just a little sprinkled with white had come from the hair-dresser's4 ,the curious asking expression transfixed her4 ,she drew a long breath4 ,why1 that would be wonderful to happen to a poor girl who is thinking how she can work her way along4 ,it would be like a glimpse of heaven4 ,i should be crazy to refuse it4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn took both of the warm1 throbbing hands in hers4 ,listen1 she exclaimed4 ,i like you very much4 ,when you first came1 ,i thought only of a little maid to wait upon me1 and run up and down and stay with ,joanna when ,i wanted to be alone4 ,i was rather curious to know whether you understood what you were about when you recited ',herv ,riel4' ,you have a great deal of natural or inherited intelligence--your father was a scholar4 ,if you were two or three years older1 ,i should take you abroad with me and finish you on the ,continent1 that is1 if you had not too much self-assurance that growing girls arrogate to themselves so easily4 ,but that is not to be thought of at present--it must be some dream of the future4 ,you need real education and you are capable of assimilating the higher part of it4 ,i should like to send you to a school ,i know of where you will get the best of training4 ,and if you develop into the girl ,i think you will1 there may be a future before you better than any of your vague dreams4 ,oh6 oh6 and ,helen ,grant buried her face in ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's lap and cried1 overcome by a new and strange emotion4 ,if the elder had followed her impulse she would have lifted the face and kissed it with the passionate tenderness that was smoldering in her soul1 and had never been satisfied4 ,but her experience in people had been wide and varied1 she was suspicious1 she could not trust easily1 and here were at least two years that would go to the shaping of this girl's character4 ,might she not care largely for what the money would give her8 ,my dear6 my dear6 she began in a muffled sort of tone from contradictory emotions4 ,helen raised her face of her own accord1 and her eyes were like the sun shining through a shower4 ,oh1 what must you think1 and her voice had a broken tremulous sound1 yet was very sweet4 ,i didn't see how anyone could cry for joy--but ,i am learning something new all the time4 ,are you in very earnest8 ,would you take me with you if ,i were older and knew more8 ,and would you like to have me trained and made into the kind of girl that suited you8 ,a girl proud and honorable and truthful1 sincere and grateful---- ,oh1 ,i would try to be all that4 ,it seems almost as if ,i had been deceitful to ,uncle ,jason1 not to tell him about the ,high ,school1 but ,i was not sure of passing1 and not sure that ,i could work my way through4 ,and sometimes ,i don't tell ,aunt ,jane things because ,i know she would make such a fuss1 and they are not bad in themselves1 and often don't come to pass4 ,but ,i hate falsehoods4 ,it makes me angry when they are told to me4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn smiled at the impetuosity4 ,but you would give up the ,high ,school for this other plan8 ,you would be willing to go away among strangers1 and trust me for the future8 ,i will provide everything for you1 you will not have a care1 only to study and do your very best1 and take care of yourself4 ,even if you should decide to teach rather than travel about with me1 you would be at liberty to choose4 ,i should choose you1 she said frankly4 ,oh1 how can ,i thank you for anything so splendid6 ,there are no words good enough4 ,she kissed the wrinkled hands fervently4 ,the thanks will be your improvement4 ,westchester is a beautiful place1 with mostly educated people4 ,mrs4 ,aldred1 who is a connection1 is a lady in the truest sense of the word4 ,you will learn what the higher class girls are like--some are fine1 some under a charming and well-bred exterior you will find full of petty meanness4 ,i should hate to have you mean1 grudging4 ,i want you to keep broad1 unselfish2 though sometimes you will get the worst and the smallest measure in return4 ,and you will be quite content to leave your people8 ,a serious sweetness overspread ,helen's countenance4 ,if ,i had a mother who loved me1 such a mother as ,mrs4 ,dayton would make1 ,i am afraid ,i would not want to leave her4 ,oh1 ,i know ,i wouldn't1 decisively4 ,but ,aunt ,jane never liked my father1 and ,i think she didn't care much for my mother4 ,their desires and ideas are so different from mine1 and they care very little for education1 yet they are all good and kindly1 and ,uncle ,jason is really fond of me1 ,i think4 ,but it seems as if when one had neither father or mother to be disappointed1 one might choose what one liked best1 if there was nothing wrong in it4 ,how did the girl come by so much good sense and uprightness8 ,then you will accept my proffer8 ,oh1 ,i can hardly believe anything so good can come to me4 ,i feel as if ,i were dreaming4 ,she looked up uncertain1 yet her eyes were dewy sweet1 her lips quivering4 ,we will make it better than a dream4 ,but we will have to disappoint your ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,that gave ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn a secret gratification4 ,she was jealous of two people who had come into ,helen ,grant's life1 this man and ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,yes2 he will be sorry1 ,i know4 ,but then he could not be my teacher1 as he was last year4 ,and1 oh1 how proud he will be that ,i passed so splendidly4 ,and ,i shall be glad when you attain to other heights4 ,i really think you will not need any urging4 ,but don't go too deep in the abstruse subjects1 and don't let anyone spoil your fashion of reading1 for ,i may want you to read to me in the years to come4 ,i shall be glad to do anything for you1 the girl replied with deep feeling4 ,i wish ,i might spend years and years with you to repay all this generosity and kindliness4 ,oh1 why do you go away8 ,she flushed with an eagerness1 a glow of excitement that gave her a frank1 bewitching sweetness4 ,why did she go8 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had gone over the ground by herself4 ,she had been tempted to settle herself for life1 but did she want to help tone down the crudeness of the untrained nature1 to prune the enthusiasms1 to find little faults here and there8 ,she would rather someone else would do the gardening1 and she have the bloom in its first sweetness4 ,while she was away ,helen would idealize her still more1 and be prepared to give her just the same girl-worship1 but with more discrimination4 ,she would think of nothing but the benefits4 ,she would see none of the whims and queernesses that ,clara ,gage had grown accustomed to4 ,she would not note her growing old every day4 ,and then she had a longing for a change4 ,well1 ,i had planned to spend the winter in the south of ,france4 ,it is supposed to be better to have an entire change every few years4 ,i spent one winter there4 ,i had not been quite up to the mark1 and it improved me wonderfully4 ,then1 ,i have made most of my arrangements4 ,but you will come back8 beseechingly4 ,i may not stay the whole two years4 ,you think you will feel quite satisfied to go to ,aldred ,house8 ,you will be among strangers1 but girls soon get acquainted4 ,of course1 ,i could board you here1 and have you go to the ,high ,school1 but it would not be as well1 and it would not make the sort of girl out of you that ,i should like as well1 for two excellent reasons1 smiling a little4 ,what is it8 as a grave expression touched ,helen's face4 ,you have the right to decide4 ,i know ,i should like best to go away1 but perhaps it will make some trouble for you4 ,i think my aunt---- ,i shall have a talk with ,mr4 ,mulford when he comes in on ,saturday4 ,a man is generally master of his house4 ,and ,i will see how the plan appears to ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,she is a very sensible person4 ,she had a talk with ,mrs4 ,dayton that very evening4 ,she would give ,helen her two years' schooling1 and then she would be old enough and capable of deciding what she would like to do for the future4 ,if she should prefer to take up teaching1 that kind of training would be necessary afterward4 ,she had some fine capabilities1 and it would be a pity not to make the best of them4 ,so ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn very clearly defined her own position in the matter1 without betraying her full intentions4 ,if she doesn't get spoiled1 commented the listener with an odd smile4 ,it is a very generous proffer1 and ,i believe ,helen is capable of appreciating it to the full4 ,it would be a hard thing for her to remain here and work her way through school1 though ,i had a plan for easing it up somewhat4 ,she is above the ordinary run of girls1 though ,i didn't think of that so much when ,i asked her to come here4 ,the qualities that decided me then were her cheerfulness and her readiness4 ,i do not believe her aunt half appreciates her4 ,she is of a little different kind1 returned ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,that lady possessed much cynical enlightenment as to the kinds4 ,there is a deal of talk about goodness in this world1 and even an east wind may be good for something1 but it isn't pleasant4 ,you find an immense deal of narrowness in these old country places4 ,saturday when ,mr4 ,mulford comes ,i want to have a talk with him4 ,mrs4 ,dayton was really glad that the first explanation was not to come from her4 ,miss ,gage arrived the next day at noon4 ,she was a quiet1 sensible-looking girl1 who might have posed for a very attractive one1 if she had known how to make the best of herself4 ,she had a fine clear complexion1 quite regular features1 an abundance of soft1 light brown hair1 and a slim1 graceful figure4 ,but she had begun life weighting herself up with care1 and made many little things a matter of conscience that were merely matters of choice4 ,she was honest to a fault1 obliging1 and with that rare gift of being serviceable4 ,at first ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had been much pleased with her1 but she was too proud to accept many favors1 and her heart was centered in her own family2 perhaps selfishly so4 ,helen seemed released from almost every duty1 and was glad to devote her time to ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,i should like to know what ,mr4 ,warfield will think of the plan1 commented the lady4 ,oh1 he will hold up both hands for me to go1 laughed ,helen4 ,everybody will1 but ,aunt ,jane4 ,the boarders were all out ,saturday afternoon2 a party had gone picnicking to a pretty1 shady nook on the ,piqua ,river1 where a little decline and a bed of rock made a dainty waterfall4 ,so ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn and ,mr4 ,mulford had the end of the porch to themselves4 ,she stated her plan in a very straightforward manner4 ,for two years she would send ,helen to school1 assuming all the expense4 ,after that the girl might take her choice as to what she would like to follow1 and she would be willing to assist her in any pursuit for which she was best fitted4 ,mr4 ,mulford gave a long whistle1 and stared at ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,there was something so amusing in his surprise that she could hardly refrain from smiling4 ,well1 ,i swow6 ,you must think a mighty sight of her1 ma'am1 to be willing to spend that money out and out1 when she could get her schoolin' right here for nothin'4 ,i think of her capabilities4 ,she is ambitious1 and can fill an excellent place in the world4 ,she's a smart girl in everything1 but the book learnin' she takes from her father4 ,mother's missed her quick handy ways about the house1 and ,i'm afraid she won't agree to givin' her up4 ,and back there1 ma'am1 ,i used a word not strictly orthodox1 and ,i'm a deacon of the church4 ,but ,i was so took aback4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn nodded her pardon4 ,you see1 she said quietly1 that it isn't quite as if she had been given to you4 ,her father might have returned and taken her4 ,then1 when a child is fourteen she is allowed to choose her guardians4 ,i shall stand in that capacity for the next two years4 ,i shall arrange matters with my legal man in ,new ,york1 so that1 even if anything should happen to me she would have her two years at school4 ,people lose their wits1 sometimes4 ,i don't believe you will lose yours4 ,you're wonderfully well kept1 he said with blunt admiration4 ,well1 ,i d'know as we could do anything if we wanted to4 ,mother's had other plans for her1 but the child didn't fall in with them4 ,she was mighty glad to come over here4 ,there isn't much ,mulford about her1 with an abrupt sort of laugh4 ,we never just got along with her father1 but he was a good enough sort of man4 ,we've tried to do by ,helen as one of our own1 and ,mother would now4 ,but ,i can't think it would be quite right to stand in the child's way4 ,no1 it would not1 decisively4 ,she has her life to live1 and you can't do that for her4 ,she has some fine natural gifts which it would be a sin to traverse4 ,i will have my lawyer draw up an agreement that you will not interfere during the next two years---- ,but are we not to see her8 he interrupted1 quite aghast at the prospect4 ,yes2 you may visit her1 and she can spend her vacations at home1 and write as often as she has time4 ,i should change my opinion of her if she was glad to go away1 and forget you altogether4 ,i am sure1 then1 ,i could not trust her gratitude to me1 she said decisively4 ,no1 ma'am1 that you couldn't1 he subjoined earnestly4 ,helen isn't that kind1 ,i'm sure4 ,and we wouldn't like to have her go out of our lives altogether4 ,i should not desire her to4 ,but1 ma'am1 after she's had all this fine living and everything1 ,i'm afraid we'll seem very common4 ,you don't think she'd better go to school here1 and keep nearer her own folks8 ,well1 the other plan seems best to me4 ,but after she has tried it a year1 if she doesn't like it she shall be at liberty to come back to ,hope4 ,that's fair1 ,i'm sure4 ,thank you1 ma'am4 ,and ,i don't just know what to say1 only that ,i think it's mighty generous of you1 though she's welcome to my home and all ,i have4 ,i've never grudged her a penny4 ,i am sure of that4 ,will you explain the matter to your wife8 ,the agreement will come next week4 ,and at the last ,i shall take her to ,new ,york to be fitted out with clothes4 ,if there is any point you do not quite understand ,i shall be very willing to explain4 ,he rose in a dazed kind of fashion1 and made an awkward bow1 then went round to the kitchen end1 where ,helen had been sorting over blackberries4 ,oh1 my child1 he cried with a new tenderness4 ,i can't bear to think of your going away6 ,helen gave a long1 sighing breath1 then smiled4 ,miss ,gage is to be taken to ,europe1 and her folks are willing1 she subjoined4 ,and this place isn't so far away4 ,you can write and come home in vacation4 ,then he would consent4 ,she felt relieved that there was to be no argument4 ,what do you think ,aunt ,jane will say8 she inquired1 clasping his arm4 ,well1 she'll be mighty set against it4 ,i'll have a hard row to hoe when ,i go home4 ,there'll be weeds of last year and year before1 laughing brusquely4 ,i wish the old lady had to tackle her4 ,but ,i don't4 ,aunt ,jane says a good many things at first that she doesn't mean4 ,it's the wrong side of something full of seams and knots1 but when you get it turned out it is ever so much smoother4 ,you're right4 ,you're just right4 ,you've quick sight in a good many things1 ,helen1 and ,i should hate awfully to have you spoiled1 and get so grand you'd look down on us4 ,mother aint much for book learnin'1 and ,jen's as smart as a steel trap1 if she is ours4 ,oh1 and there's the wedding4 ,why ,i don't see how we can do without you1 and he looked really alarmed4 ,perhaps ,i won't have to go so soon4 ,somehow she was almost afraid she wouldn't go at all4 ,it was one of the happenings that seemed too good to be true1 too wonderful for her4 ,well1 ,i must get along4 ,mother'll wonder what kept me4 ,and1 oh1 ,uncle ,jason1 don't ever feel afraid that ,i shall forget you1 and all your goodness4 ,helen flung her arms around his neck and kissed his rough cheek tenderly4 ,no1 my girl1 no4 ,i should hope not4 ,we'll hear soon1 ,i suppose4 ,and you will come over4 ,yes4 ,helen felt a little conscience smitten4 ,she could go over and spend ,sunday1 but he did not ask it1 and she did not proffer4 ,she could imagine the time there would be1 and oh1 she would so much rather be out of it4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn said he was much more amenable to reason than she had feared4 ,she explained about the agreement1 and her plans to go the last of next week4 ,helen was transfixed with amazement4 ,monday afternoon ,mr4 ,warfield made his appearance4 ,miss ,gage had gone out with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,helen was very glad to have ,mrs4 ,dayton explain the proposal1 and point out its advantages4 ,i don't like it1 he exclaimed brusquely4 ,and you didn't take the examination8 ,oh1 yes1 ,i did1 and it was splendid6 ,i'll show you the papers4 ,but why don't you like it8 apprehensively4 ,if you are going to teach in a public school1 the discipline and advantages of the public school education are immeasurably the best4 ,i don't like boarding schools except for the high up people who care most for accomplishments4 ,and ,i have been thinking it over1 and had a plan to propose to ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,my schooldays seem a great perplexity all around1 said ,helen with a dubious sort of laugh4 ,i do suppose ,helen could have worked her way through4 ,i had decided to give her a home1 or her other expenses if a pleasant home offered4 ,i would much rather not have her put on the level of a domestic4 ,we may have some very fine theories on this subject1 but ,helen would have many snubs to endure4 ,and if she resolves to learn what is useful1 she will learn it as well there4 ,but the experience will be so different4 ,and two years will fit her for just nothing at all4 ,every year more real education is demanded4 ,i am studying up for a college degree myself4 ,oh1 dear6 ,helen sighed lugubriously4 ,then1 here1 ,i should have had an oversight of your studies1 and kept you up to the mark4 ,i am resolved ,i won't fall below anywhere1 she replied resolutely2 yet there were tears in her eyes4 ,but you don't know what the standard will be4 ,don't be discouraging1 ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,helen1 go and get your papers1 interposed ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,is that old body going to have ,helen trained for a lady's maid8 ,mr4 ,warfield asked in an imperious manner2 his lips touched with a bit of scorn4 ,you don't do her justice4 ,at the end of two years ,helen will be free to choose her future course4 ,she will be only sixteen then4 ,and spoiled utterly4 ,full of airs and graces4 ,she is too fine a girl to be made a sort of puppet4 ,there wasn't a girl in my class equal to her1 and some had had much better advantages4 ,i should not want her to go on living with the ,mulfords4 ,helen returned bright and eager1 proud of her success as she handed him her examination papers4 ,but ,mr4 ,warfield would not be reconciled to the boarding school plan1 and when he saw ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn step out of the carriage in her fine attire1 he felt that he hated her2 that she was an officious old body4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,different ,,standpoints ,helen would have been figuratively torn to pieces if she had spent ,sunday at the ,center4 ,uncle ,jason's first resolve was that he would wait until ,sunday afternoon before announcing the conspiracy4 ,the more he thought of the plan the greater the benefit to ,helen seemed4 ,she was different from the ,mulfords1 and she had no ,cummings blood in her veins4 ,she had changed these few weeks of her sojourn with ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,not that she had grown consequential4 ,indeed1 she had never been more simply sweet than on this afternoon4 ,she would hate the shop dreadfully4 ,and after all the three dollars a week she would earn the first year1 would not more than pay for her board and clothes4 ,jenny had gone at it with a vim4 ,but she hated books4 ,the only thing that interested her was arithmetic4 ,uncle ,jason could not put it in words1 but he could feel it4 ,the supper passed off without any squabbles4 ,sam and ,jenny walked down to the house1 the children were tired and went to bed1 and ,aunt ,jane came out on the porch to take a turn in her rocking chair and fan herself cool4 ,but the wind blew up1 and she did not even have to fan4 ,did you ask whether ,helen would come home next week8 ,polly ,samson comes two days to make ,jen's wedding gown1 and she'll be married on the sixteenth4 ,we've got along wonderfully the last fortnight1 and ,i begin to see my way clear4 ,dear1 how ,i shall miss ,jen1 but ,i'm glad she'll be so near by4 ,and she bid 'em good-by at the shop to-day4 ,reely's getting to be quite a help4 ,i don't know but it was better for her to have ,helen away in vacation4 ,uncle ,jason felt this was the golden opportunity4 ,the lovers would not be home until about ten4 ,it took some courage4 ,he cleared his throat1 listened a moment to the crickets1 and then plunged into the subject2 blurting it all out before ,aunt ,jane could recover her breath4 ,in fact there was such an awful silence he wondered4 ,then the storm descended4 ,he smoked his pipe and listened1 though he heard the crickets with one ear1 he would have said4 ,and when he did not make an immediate answer1 she said angrily3 ,you never consented to any such tomfoolery6 ,in the first place1 he began slowly1 we couldn't keep ,helen against her will4 ,her father didn't make us guardians4 ,at fourteen she can choose4 ,she isn't bound to us1 and we haven't any real claim on her---- ,except common gratitude1 ,aunt ,jane flung out4 ,we've taken care of her a few years4 ,i dare say there'd be people in ,north ,hope who would take a smart girl like ,helen and pay her three dollars a week4 ,mrs4 ,dayton thought she might stay there and go to the ,high ,school before that other offer come along4 ,and ,warfield thinks it would be dreadful not to give her a chance at school when she could earn it for herself4 ,she doesn't want to go in the shop---- ,as if a girl of fourteen knew what she wanted6 ,jenny did1 and you agreed with her4 ,i was awfully took by surprise when old lady ,van ,dorn first snapped this onto me1 but ,helen and ,mrs4 ,dayton were so much in earnest1 and then drivin' home ,i kept thinking it over4 ,if someone offered to take ,sam and teach him store business1 and he had his heart set upon going1 and it was a good chance1 ,i don't believe it would be right to oppose him4 ,it's just the same with ,helen4 ,and have her stick up above us and despise us6 ,she's had pride enough1 and ,i've tried to break her of it4 ,i just wish ,i hadn't let her go at all4 ,she'll be unthankful and full of conceit1 and she never shall go with my consent4 ,uncle ,jason kept silence1 which was very irritating4 ,aunt ,jane went over the ground again1 growing more dogmatic at every step4 ,then the young people returned4 ,goodness sakes1 mother1 what are you scolding about8 cried ,jenny4 ,they can hear you half a mile away4 ,then the story had to be gone over again4 ,well1 ,i declare6 ,i don't see that it's anything to get mad about1 said ,jenny sensibly4 ,why1 it's--it's just splendid6 ,pop1 don't you think she ought to go8 ,and if she likes teaching better than anything else1 for goodness sake1 let her teach6 ,i'd rather go out washing4 ,and a girl who don't like it in the shop won't get along4 ,helen hasn't quite the right way with her4 ,she's on the ,grant side of the fence4 ,my6 ,the idea6 ,that old lady must have taken a smashin' fancy to her4 ,and she has sights of money1 folks say4 ,maybe she'll leave her something in the end1 and she's quite old4 ,i'm fairly stumped6 declared ,sam4 ,mother1 what's the reason you don't want her to go8 ,mother's afraid she'll put on airs1 and crow over us4 ,goodness6 ,let her1 if she wants to4 ,i'm going to have a good home1 and a good husband1 squeezing ,joe's hand1 and she may crow over me as much as she likes4 ,it won't hurt me a bit4 ,and if you undertake to keep her home she'll be cranky1 and you'll wish you hadn't4 ,they were all on ,helen's side4 ,mrs4 ,mulford could not make any headway and went off to bed in high dudgeon4 ,all day ,sunday she carried about an injured look1 and said she had reached the time of life when her opinions were of no account1 after all she had done1 and where would anyone have been without her thrift and judgment8 ,on ,monday ,jenny helped wash and iron1 and sang about the house4 ,she told her mother the matter wasn't worth minding4 ,tuesday1 ,polly ,samson came with three new patterns of wedding gowns1 and fairly alive with the wonderful news that a rich old woman boarding at ,mrs4 ,dayton's was going to adopt ,helen1 and send her away to school4 ,the next afternoon the carriage came over with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 ,mrs4 ,dayton1 and ,helen1 and the agreement4 ,certainly ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's part sounded very generous4 ,for the next two years she would provide wholly for ,helen1 and keep her at school1 but she would be free in the summer vacation4 ,after that ,helen must decide her course4 ,mr4 ,castles1 the lawyer1 vouched for ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,the ,mulfords were to visit her whenever they chose4 ,i don't agree to any of this1 said ,mrs4 ,mulford1 in her most severe tone4 ,i don't believe in girls being brought up above their station4 ,we're just plain farmer people1 and ,helen's our kin1 though if she was on the ,cummings' side1 ,i'd have some voice in the matter4 ,mr4 ,mulford's willing1 and if it turns out bad1 and she grows up proud and lazy1 and ashamed of honest labor1 'taint my fault4 ,i wash my hands of it all1 and she fairly wrung them out4 ,helen's face was scarlet4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn said in a very dignified manner1 ,will you sign this1 ,mr4 ,mulford8 ,you will see the money is in ,mr4 ,castles' hands1 and must be used for that alone4 ,you can compel me to keep my word1 smiling4 ,i don't doubt you at all1 said ,mr4 ,mulford4 ,i'd trust you without the scratch of a pen4 ,but that wouldn't be business4 ,jenny brought in some cake1 and some very nice root beer4 ,if the ladies chose they could have a cup of tea4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn thought she would4 ,then they talked about ,jenny's wedding4 ,helen was to go to ,new ,york on ,saturday1 and on ,friday of next week was due at ,aldred ,house4 ,i'm awful sorry you can't come to the wedding1 said ,jenny4 ,we're going away for a week1 then we shall have a house-warming at my house4 ,i'm going to be married at noon1 so the relatives can get home before night4 ,and ,i'm sure ,i wish you loads of good luck4 ,it is just wonderful4 ,mother'll get over it1 and be just as proud as anybody4 ,father thinks it just right1 and ,joe says it's like something out of a story book4 ,he's fond of stories1 and used to read them to his mother4 ,i shan't mind his reading to me1 for ,i'll sew and crochet4 ,and ,i know you'll be happy1 ,jenny4 ,i wish you all the good things4 ,and ,i could--stay all night1 hesitatingly4 ,no1 ,i wouldn't4 ,come over and spend ,friday1 then mother'll be in a better humor1 laughing4 ,but father'll miss you dreadfully4 ,he'd lotted on your taking my place4 ,well1 we'll all miss you1 but it's such a splendid chance4 ,you'll let her come over on ,friday8 to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,then my wedding gown will be done4 ,it's white lansdowne4 ,i thought ,i wouldn't splurge in silk or satin4 ,lansdowne will dye when it's soiled4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn promised for ,friday1 and they said their good-bys4 ,helen ran out to the kitchen porch1 and kissed ,uncle ,jason4 ,there were two votes against it1 said ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn dryly4 ,i think ,i can understand your aunt1 but ,i don't see the force of ,mr4 ,warfield's reasoning4 ,your cousin seems a nice1 sensible girl4 ,how the days flew6 ,one of the neighbors took her over ,friday morning4 ,joe and ,jenny would bring her back4 ,and she had a really happy time4 ,jenny took her down to the house1 and it was attractively nice and comfortable1 even if ,jenny had tacked up some advertising pictures in her chamber1 and the dining-room4 ,there was an old-time door-yard with its long rows of flowers4 ,joe was a master hand for flowers4 ,the vegetable garden was in excellent order1 and did not look ragged1 as gardens were wont to do in early autumn4 ,there had been a second crop of several things1 which betokened thrift on ,joe's part4 ,yes2 ,jenny would be very happy4 ,people were different1 and the same pursuits and pleasures could not satisfy all alike4 ,i'm glad you are going to that school1 ,helen4 ,you would never have liked working in the shop4 ,it's suited me well enough1 because ,i've been thinking of the money4 ,i have two hundred dollars in the bank in my own name1 and ,joe is going to let me have the butter and egg money4 ,but ,i don't know how ,i'll keep busy all the time1 though ,i can help mother with the sewing4 ,she'd counted so much on you4 ,and she thinks now---- ,jenny looked at ,helen1 and laughed merrily1 that if ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn would put the money out at interest that she's going to spend on you the next two years1 it would be ever so much better for you4 ,no1 it wouldn't1 returned ,helen decisively4 ,beside1 what good reason would she have for doing such a thing8 ,she knows ,i am just wild for an education4 ,there are so many splendid knowledges in the world1 and the girl's face was brilliant with eagerness4 ,you've changed some way1 ,helen4 ,i guess you always were a little different1 though4 ,jenny seemed studying her from head to foot4 ,you're taller4 ,my1 if you had on long skirts1 you'd be a young lady4 ,i just want to be a girl for ever so long4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn doesn't want me grown up4 ,and ,i went in the shop when ,i was only half-past fourteen1 laughing4 ,i made mother let me wear long skirts1 and when ,i was fifteen ,joe began to come round and bring me home from cottage meeting and singing school1 but his mother didn't like it a bit4 ,she wouldn't have let him marry if she had lived1 but ,i was willing to wait and that maddened her4 ,now if she'd been nice1 ,i'd a' been real glad to have her round4 ,and ,i say to mother1 don't you be getting cranky and snappy so as no one will want to live with you when you get old4 ,isn't that ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn rather queer8 ,she is so bright and intelligent1 and has traveled about so much and read almost everything4 ,why ,i've learned about countries and their government1 and what they do at ,washington1 and about ,congress and our own capital1 and the cities and towns that have mayors1 and boroughs1 and villages4 ,oh dear1 all that would set me crazy6 interrupted ,jenny1 holding up her hand in entreaty4 ,i guess you do take after your father4 ,well my life suits me best4 ,just imagine me marrying a man like ,mr4 ,warfield6 ,why ,i shouldn't know what to do--,i'd rather work in the shop and have fun with the girls4 ,but if all these things suit you1 you ought to have them1 when they are offered out and out to you4 ,i am glad you think so2 and she gave ,jenny's arm a caressing little squeeze4 ,and ,i do hope you won't get so big feeling that you will be too grand to notice us4 ,i'd like you to come next summer in vacation and make me a nice long visit4 ,i think ,i'll be able to stand book learning for a while2 with her rather boisterous laugh4 ,and oh1 you won't forget to write to father4 ,no indeed1 with tender warmth4 ,i never loved ,uncle ,jason so much as this last summer1 though he's always been good to me4 ,and he thinks a mighty sight of you1 ,i can tell you1 returned ,jenny4 ,then they walked homeward4 ,there was a great ado bidding ,helen good-by4 ,aunt ,jane gave her some severely good advice1 which was quite superfluous1 seeing that she would not recognize the change in the girl's life4 ,uncle ,jason put both arms around her and kissed her tenderly4 ,be a good1 honest1 truthful girl1 he said in a rather broken voice1 and then all the learning in the world won't hurt you4 ,the next morning there were some more good-bys4 ,joanna's was really touching4 ,there's a good deal of knowledge it's nice to have1 she said1 but ,i think your pretty ways must have come natural4 ,and you do beat all at drying dishes4 ,mrs4 ,dayton felt almost as if she was giving up a child4 ,would it have been better for her to have remained at ,hope8 ,she was really astonished at the commotion the event created4 ,wasn't it a great risk to have ,helen ,grant go off with a strange woman8 ,just as if schools in ,hope were not good enough6 ,i never saw anything wonderful in ,helen ,grant1 said ,mrs4 ,graham4 ,mr4 ,warfield pushed her ahead when he should have been taking pains with others1 and ,i'll venture to say he helped her out with that examination4 ,she couldn't have gone to the ,high ,school anyhow4 ,and ,jason ,mulford is as stuck up as a telegraph post over her luck4 ,we'd all laugh if it fell through in a year6 ,as for ,helen there were several days of living in absolute fairyland4 ,the ,hotel was a veritable palace to her1 the ladies1 queens and princesses4 ,as for the stores they were beyond any description1 only she thought they had been rehearsed in ,walks about ,paris1 but she was sometime to see the difference4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn displayed excellent taste in selecting ,helen's wardrobe4 ,it was simply pretty1 fit for a girl in the ordinary walks of life4 ,her measurements were left with madame1 who1 from time to time would send her what was suitable and necessary4 ,she had been such a charming companion that ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn really hated to give her up4 ,if she were only two or three years older6 ,her enthusiasms were so fresh and infectious1 her health was so perfect1 her readiness1 her pleasant temper1 the pretty manner in which she took any check or counsel1 appealed curiously to the worn old heart still hankering after something all its own1 that should exhilarate and bring her back to some of the freshness of youth4 ,two years4 ,well1 there were women who lived to ninety-six1 or even a hundred4 ,she would take good care of herself and have this enjoyment in her later years4 ,miss ,gage took ,helen to ,westchester4 ,it was a beautiful town with old trees and old substantially-built houses4 ,it was the county town also1 and twice a year presented quite a stirring aspect4 ,the inhabitants were refined and intelligent4 ,four different denominations had churches4 ,a lovely winding river ran on one side1 full of suggestive nooks1 dividing it from a neighboring ,state4 ,a smaller one ran nearly through the center1 crossed by several rustic bridges4 ,toward the east there was a rather high bluff going up1 a woody sort of crest1 and on this stood ,aldred ,house1 though it fronted on ,elm ,avenue4 ,there were two terraces1 and two short flights of steps to reach it1 and a great wide veranda where a ,virginia creeper and honeysuckle were burnishing their leaves in the sun4 ,oh1 sighed ,helen with a long indrawn breath and luminous eyes1 tell ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn that ,i shall be perfectly happy here1 ,i know ,i shall4 ,and ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn wondered when the message was repeated4 ,youth was easily caught by newness4 ,what if ,helen should be weaned away by other friends8 ,and there were girls born students who could not be satisfied unless with some profession or business4 ,what if she should be one of these8 ,the jealous old heart wanted all of her1 all of the ,babylon she meant to build with its pleasant gardens and fascinating nooks of variety4 ,well1 ,helen had cared for her old uncle1 and she1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn would be a hundred times better to her4 ,the reception room was cozy1 with one open bookcase1 some pictures1 a great oriental jar full of trailing clematis and blazing sumac branches4 ,mrs4 ,aldred came in1 a rather tall1 sweet-faced woman with a voice that won at once1 and a manner that had a welcome in it4 ,i am very glad to have you come1 and glad that ,i could oblige ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn in any way4 ,i hope you will soon feel at home1 she exclaimed4 ,oh1 it is so lovely everywhere6 ,and the journey for the last mile or two where you caught glimpses of the river1 and in one place a great pile of rocks big enough to shelter some of the old ,norse gods was enchanting4 ,we have only one poor little river at home and there is but one really beautiful place in it4 ,and ,i am sure ,i shall like to live here4 ,an enthusiastic girl1 thought ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,a fine1 intelligent face also1 perhaps too romantic4 ,miss ,gage gave her few charges and said good-by1 as she was to catch a return train4 ,it was early afternoon4 ,several of the scholars had arrived and were settling their rooms4 ,then ,helen's trunk came up4 ,mrs4 ,aldred had been taking her through the long parlor on the opposite side of the hall1 and the dining room1 where instead of one long table1 several small ones were cozily arranged4 ,back of this1 toward the bluff1 was the schoolroom1 and the study room1 with several small ones for recitations4 ,i wonder if you would like best to be alone in a room or have a companion8 questioned ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,i sometimes give girls a choice4 ,i like folks1 returned ,helen1 frankly4 ,that is---- pausing rather confusedly4 ,if they are agreeable8 ,yes1 said ,helen1 smiling4 ,i will give you a room where you may have a companion if you like4 ,some girls get homesick at first if they are alone4 ,oh1 ,i shall not be homesick1 she exclaimed with gay assurance4 ,up the broad staircase they trooped1 though there were two smaller ones convenient to many of the rooms4 ,there was a long corridor with small rooms opening on the one side1 and a cross hall leading to those in front4 ,in the double rooms were screens arranged to insure as much privacy as one cared for4 ,a white bed1 a sort of closet with book-shelves above1 a bureau and dressing table1 a wardrobe built in the wall1 a wicker arm chair and a rocking chair1 with a large hassock and a small one4 ,now1 said ,mrs4 ,aldred1 when your trunk comes you will empty it and put your clothes away1 and the servant will take it to the trunk room4 ,it came up in a few moments4 ,then ,mrs4 ,aldred left her with some kindly wishes4 ,helen went to the window4 ,it overlooked the southwest4 ,there were tops of trees1 then a depression that was the river1 and over beyond fields golden in the sunshine1--that was the stubble of grain1 others a dull brown with here and there a bit of green weed pushing up sturdily since the hay had been cut1 young winter wheat over beyond1 houses1 farms1 rising ground again and woodlands4 ,far over to the westward were the grand hills of another ,state4 ,it was so much more beautiful than all the ,hopes with their levels4 ,this wonderful thing had happened to her4 ,hardly a year1 indeed it was at the beginning of the present year that ,mr4 ,warfield had gone at her rather fiercely1 she thought1 and told her there was no use of dawdling and that she must pass for the ,high ,school4 ,but ,i can't go to the ,high ,school1 she had protested4 ,that looked impossible4 ,no matter1 you can pass1 he had said so sternly that she wondered why people must be cross when they were so much nicer in a pleasant mood4 ,then ,aunt ,jane began to talk of next year when she should be through school4 ,she roused suddenly1 she took hold as people say and found that life meant something4 ,perhaps it was the growth out of childhood1 the development of mind2 country children were not analytical4 ,she began to wonder about things1 to ask questions that pleased ,mr4 ,warfield and tormented ,aunt ,jane1 and all these events1 more than had come in the thirteen and a half years before1 had happened in this little space of time4 ,eight months only4 ,oh dear1 ,i wonder if things1 incidents1 come this way to all girls4 ,i wonder if there is a time when you wake up1 and she looked steadily at the sky with its drifts of gray white clouds as if it could answer4 ,well1 ,i do suppose ,jenny woke up1 too4 ,she wanted to go in the shop and earn money4 ,sam doesn't seem very wide awake1 though he means to learn a trade4 ,yes1 ,i think there must be diverse gifts4 ,oh1 it's just glorious here6 ,i wish ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn could know4 ,she did know one day before she sailed and her heart thrilled with a warmth it had not known in a long while4 ,clara was serene1 useful1 patient1 but she did lack enthusiasm4 ,there were steps and voices1 gay laughs1 some new girls had come1 some old ones rushed out to welcome them4 ,helen turned and saw her trunks and began to devote herself to unpacking4 ,there was a best hat in a compartment4 ,she opened the wardrobe door and on the shelf were two hat boxes4 ,that was settled4 ,the small articles she laid on the rug1 and lifted out the tray4 ,then came the gowns and skirts1 the shirtwaists and all the paraphernalia4 ,she found places for them4 ,but here were two very precious belongings1 the ,madonna she had once coveted1 and a tall vase of roses with a few fallen leaves so natural that one felt inclined to brush them off4 ,there was also an extremely fine photograph of ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,of course the artist had done his best and turned back the hand of time2 she was not over fifty that day4 ,helen was much interested in settling4 ,there were hooks for her pictures1 so she stood up on a chair and hung them4 ,there were several pretty table ornaments1 her writing desk with its outfit4 ,some one tapped at the partly-opened door4 ,she found a bright rosy-cheeked girl with a fluff of golden red hair1 and a laughing face4 ,you are one of the new girls1 exclaimed a merry voice4 ,i'm ,roxy ,mays1 not half as hard as my name sounds4 ,in full its ,roxalana4 ,i've tried several other ways of shortening it1 but they are delusions and snares4 ,i was named after a rich old great-aunt1 she was my sponsor and consented to promise ,i should renounce everything desirable4 ,why is it that rich people have such ugly names and are always wanting to perpetuate them1 or do you get rich on an ugly name8 ,there ought to be some compensation4 ,now--have you any objection to stating yours before supper time8 ,mine is ,helen ,grant4 ,oh1 that is splendid and strong and easy to call4 ,there was ,helen ,mar1 and ,helen of ,troy1 and several other famous ,helens4 ,well1 ,i like your name to begin with4 ,are you going to be a doctor8 ,a doctor6 ,helen gave a little shudder4 ,oh1 that settles it4 ,you haven't the courage for all you look so brave4 ,two of our last year's graduates have chosen that walk in life4 ,one goes to ,new ,york bound to work her way through1 the other to ,wellesley4 ,seven years of study1 think of it and weep6 ,but if she loves to study8 ,depravity of taste4 ,spider1 ask in this timid fly hovering about your gates1 and as ,helen stepped back with a gesture of the hand ,miss ,mays entered and glanced around1 though she kept on talking4 ,do you like getting settled1 and are you not bothered about the right places8--oh1 with almost a shriek--you have that lovely ,bodenhausen ,madonna6 ,i have the ,sichel and ,i never can decide which ,i like best4 ,and then ,gabriel ,marx1 and ,dangerfield6 ,we're not hopelessly modern1 for ,i have the ,sistine4 ,nearly every girl has it4 ,and oh1 who is this handsome woman8 ,a ,duchess at the very least6 ,that is--a dear friend1 ,helen flushed4 ,that must have been taken when she was younger4 ,she is quite old now4 ,elderly4 ,there may be old men and old peasant women in pictures1 but the living women are simply elderly4 ,well1 one wouldn't mind growing old if one could look like that4 ,have you ever been away at school before8 ,no1 returned ,helen4 ,north1 ,south1 ,east or ,west8 ,brevity is the soul of wit4 ,i sometimes set up for a wit when ,i can do it on a small capital4 ,rather southerly from here1 laughed ,helen4 ,a little country place called ,hope ,center4 ,hope ,center4 ,helen ,grant4 ,well that has a sound6 ,you will do4 ,what else are you going to put up8 ,i haven't anything else4 ,that's delightful4 ,most girls bring so much from home1 to cry over4 ,you don't really look like the crying kind4 ,and school girl treasures accumulate fearfully4 ,it's nice to have a place to put the new ones4 ,she had a small photograph of ,mrs4 ,dayton in her writing desk4 ,there had not been any keepsakes to bring4 ,won't you come and be introduced to some of the girls8 ,they are in ,daisy ,bell's room4 ,wouldn't ,i---- she hesitated4 ,be an intruder8 ,oh dear no4 ,the sooner you get over these things the better4 ,come6 ,she took ,helen's hand and led her to a room two or three doors down4 ,the screens had been pushed aside4 ,on one bed sat two girls1 two others were hanging pictures and spreading bric-a-brac on brackets and shelves4 ,one of the girls was still in short skirts1 and ,helen felt secretly glad4 ,this was ,daisy ,bell4 ,oh1 thank goodness you're not grown up1 cried ,daisy1 eyeing her from head to toe4 ,i wept1 ,i prayed1 ,i entreated for long skirts1 and ,i couldn't move my mother1 any more than the rock of ,gibraltar4 ,well1 you're not a senior4 ,why should you care8 ,how old are you1 ,miss ,grant8 ,past fourteen the last of ,june4 ,oh1 how tall for that6 ,i'm fifteen4 ,but ,i have two older sisters1 and they are always saying ',that child1 ,daisy1' as if ,i was about seven4 ,how many sisters have you8 ,none4 ,and no father or mother4 ,you poor wretched orphan6 ,illustration3 ,helen's first day at ,aldred ,house4--,page #aib4 ,she doesn't look a bit wretched1 ,roxy ,mays1 said a girl who had been surveying her4 ,the juniors are all down there1 nodding toward the lower end of the hall1 so you might have known she wasn't 'sweet and twenty4' ,at what age do you begin to grow sweet so as to get ready for the twenty8 ,oh1 girls1 don't let's hurry into the twenty4 ,i'd like to stay sixteen three years1 and seventeen four years4 ,i wish they'd made the years longer4 ,there could have been another month or two put in vacation time4 ,what is ,hope ,center like8 asked one of the girls4 ,it doesn't sound like a city4 ,it's the country1 farms mostly4 ,north ,hope is the real town part1 and quite pretty1 with stores1 and churches1 and a library1 and a small but nice park4 ,there's a lovely old park here4 ,everything is old4 ,there are the oldest women you ever saw4 ,one of them shook hands with ,lafayette4 ,and ,i've shaken hands with ever so many people and not a ,lafayette or a ,washington among them1 declared ,roxy most lugubriously4 ,now look1 girls1 would you hang this picture here8 ,i think it's rather dark4 ,bring it over here4 ,yes1 that's better4 ,no one asks ,miss ,grant to sit down4 ',no stars were shining in the sky-- ,there were no stars to shine4' ,no chairs were idly standing round1 ,in schools they never do abound1 laughed ,daisy ,bell4 ,miss ,grant1 sit on the bed4 ,it won't break down4 ,oh1 ,i don't mind1 returned ,helen4 ,what ,i am to do with all these things6 moaned ,daisy1 glancing helplessly about4 ,miss ,grant has begun sensibly4 ,she did not cart a lot of truck away from home4 ,helen had a mind to say humorously ,there was no truck to cart1 but two others began to talk at once1 and she wondered how they could say such bright merry things4 ,it seemed as if she had never seen real girls before4 ,then ,daisy finished up and they went down on the big back porch where chairs were plenty and hammocks were swung4 ,helen was introduced to another bevy of girls1 some quite young ladies it seemed4 ,they all went in to supper presently1 and ,helen found herself next to ,daisy ,bell4 ,the six girls at this table were all young4 ,afterwards they went out of doors again and ,miss ,aldred joined them1 welcoming several of the new arrivals personally4 ,she had a very sweet face without being really pretty4 ,she came over to ,helen after a few moments and said in a low tone4 ,you are ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's protge4 ,i hope you will be very happy among us4 ,oh1 ,i am sure ,i shall1 returned ,helen4 ,at nine there was a hymn sung and a brief prayer4 ,then the girls dispersed1 and at ten everybody was in bed4 ,,chapter ,x ,,beginning ,,anew ,helen went to her room1 saying good-night to a group of girls4 ,she crossed over to her window and stood there many minutes4 ,oh1 a picture like this could never be painted4 ,the moon had come up and the tree-tops were clusters of frosted jewels4 ,such little nooks of almost black shade1 such translucent green where the branches were thin4 ,and the meadows1 and the far-off fields1 the houses within range6 ,was she far away in some unknown region8 ,was this a book she had been reading and would she shut it up and find herself in ,hope again8 ,there was such a sweetness and newness and beauty about it all1 such a glow in her heart1 speeding through every nerve at the wonderful happening4 ,this lovely home1 these pretty1 merry girls1 music1 books1 and a kind of living that filled and satisfied4 ,six months ago she was ,helen ,grant1 was she really someone else now8 ,she felt so1 as if there had been some strange metamorphosis4 ,and that delightful1 enchanting week in ,new ,york4 ,oh1 how full of pleasure and happiness the world must be if a few little spaces could contain so much6 ,and that she could have a share in the real blessedness of it6 ,was that the big clock striking the half hour8 ,one was to stop reading or studying at that warning and prepare for bed4 ,dreaming too1 tempting as the picture was4 ,helen had always said her prayers4 ,a wonder as to the real virtue of this had occasionally crossed her mind4 ,so far she had only known a religion of habit2 like the other habits of life4 ,to-night a new thought possessed her4 ,did she owe this simply to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn8 ,if all good and perfect things came from ,god then this that was so supremely delightful1 so almost marvelous of its kind must have been put in the kindly heart by some higher power4 ,she was curiously awed4 ,uncle ,jason and ,aunt ,jane were church members1 but religion had very little power in their lives4 ,yet ,aunt ,jane brought up her children to be strictly honest1 and any bald falsehood she truly believed she despised4 ,but injustice or the refusal to see the other side of the question was not connected in her mind with truthfulness4 ,like many other people the things she believed in and wanted1 were right1 not only for her1 but others must be fitted to the measure4 ,so ,helen knew very little of the higher meaning of the word4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn paid a general outward respect to religion when she was with a certain kind of people1 but she was of a sort of heathen who make gods for themselves4 ,her life was to be enjoyment now1 since the early part of it had been hard and comfortless4 ,if it had not been right1 a form of reward for those dreary early years it would not have come to her4 ,she thought it bad taste to array herself against beliefs that pervaded the world so largely4 ,all sorts of disbelief coarsened women4 ,she had listened to one great woman speaker who afterward became an ,anarchist1 and who even then denounced nearly all the moral precepts and attacked modern marriage1 and was really shocked4 ,she liked to keep what she called reverence for sacred things4 ,and it pleased her to play ,providence to people now and then1 and impress it delicately on the recipients that they need look no farther than herself for the giver of their good4 ,but to-night ,helen felt there was some power beyond1 and she gave thanks sincerely to it4 ,it was ,god who had made the world so full of beauty1 it must be ,god who had put these noble and lovely desires in anyone's soul1 so she went quite past ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,there were sweet and merry voices the next morning1 but ,helen had been up an hour or more looking over some poems in a choice selection4 ,someone tapped at her door1 and she opened it4 ,miss ,mays stood there smiling4 ,i suppose you feel a little queer1 like the traditional cat in a strange garret4 ,come down with us4 ,to-day is a kind of lawless1 irresponsible time4 ,i dote on it4 ,we had lots of fun last year because we came on ,friday4 ,it was ,daisy ,bell's first year1 too4 ,you learn to-day what the rules are1 but you don't have to keep them4 ,it's a grace day when you are not forced to get your accounts straight4 ,helen turned and wished her mates goodmorning1 and thought within herself that it was a very pretty thing to say1 since the morning was so good4 ,yet she had a curious feeling within her1 as if she was here under some kind of false pretense4 ,she was so utterly honest she would have enjoyed explaining her exact situation1 that she was here on the bounty of a friend1 and not as these other girls who came from delightful homes1 and had fathers to care for them4 ,mrs4 ,aldred summoned ,helen to her room4 ,occasionally this was not a pleasant call to make1 but this morning it had no such signification4 ,all new pupils underwent this examination4 ,where she had been trained1 what she had studied1 and what her aims were1 if she had any4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had explained pretty clearly1 and she had also said1 ,don't spoil a very nice1 honest girl by setting her up too high4 ,what ,i would like to do most of all8 and ,helen's eyes lighted with enthusiasm4 ,i think it would be to teach1 because then you always go on learning4 ,there are some things that girls and women do that seem to make you stop off short1 turn you into another channel entirely1 and she thought of the shoe factory and how narrowly she had escaped that4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had been quite as non-commital with her protge then1 or had no real plans for her4 ,now let me hear what you have studied4 ,helen went over the list and told of her ,high ,school examination and how she had passed4 ,there was a girlish pride in it1 of course1 but no undue elation4 ,mrs4 ,aldred was much pleased with the absence of self-consciousness1 the real delight in knowledge4 ,you are very well grounded4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn wished you to take up ,french2 of course you will begin with ,latin4 ,and music4 ,oh6 ,helen's face was radiant then4 ,music6 ,i never dreamed of that6 ,you will not enjoy the drudgery1 but that has to come first4 ,it is an excellent thing to be interested in what you are doing1 to love it1 but all studies are not equally pleasant4 ,there are courage and perseverance needed4 ,i shall try to do my very best for ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's sake4 ,it was so generous of her to send me here though ,i do think ,i should have managed to work my way through the ,high ,school4 ,what a frank1 honest girl she was6 ,how little she knew about the world6 ,an astute person could turn her inside out and laugh at her innocence4 ,it was a pity to spoil it1 yet it would be worse to leave her at the mercy of a crowd of girls4 ,this will be an entirely new experience for you1 ,mrs4 ,aldred began gently4 ,you have had very little acquaintance with the real world1 and very little need to be on your guard4 ,as one's sphere grows wider and more people come into it1 there is occasion for--how should she put it--judgment2 no1 that was not quite it2 at this stage of a girl's life she was not likely to have a very correct judgment2 a little caution and reserve4 ,girls so often exchange confidences about their lives and their friends1 and do not always look at things just as they are4 ,afterward they regret their unreserve4 ,helen had been taking in every word1 only she could not get the meaning of it1 except that it seemed to her confused sense akin to her thoughts of an hour ago4 ,she really studied the face before her1 and ,mrs4 ,aldred felt the scrutiny4 ,how could she make the girl understand just what she meant8 ,if ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had been a little more explicit4 ,if she were having the girl educated solely for herself the explanation would be easy enough4 ,helen's directness solved the difficulty4 ,there was so much ingrained honesty about her1 and yet half the time lately1 it seemed to her she had been on the very verge of deceitfulness4 ,mrs4 ,aldred1 she began1 with some hesitation1 ,i was thinking1 this morning1 when ,i heard the girls talk1 that my life had been so different from theirs1 and whether ,i had the right-- her face went scarlet then--,i don't know as ,i can just explain it1 in some confusion1 but whether ,i was on an equality with them4 ,she said it out bravely4 ,mrs4 ,aldred admired her courage and her honesty4 ,you certainly are on an equality with them here4 ,if ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had asked me to take you as a return for some past favors1 you would still have been put on an equality1 and ,i should not have considered it sailing under false colors4 ,but she pays the usual terms for you1 and the favor is between yourself and her4 ,so you can dismiss all thoughts of that from your mind4 ,i think she desires to have you trained in society ways1 which you can do by watching the best examples and following them4 ,you will like some girls very much1 and girls are largely given to think that a true friendship must begin by telling each other all the little happenings of their lives4 ,it is a good rule to consider in these matters whether you would like the girl to tell this over to someone who did not admire you so much1 and who repeated it with little embellishments to the next eager listener4 ,but she could not if it was a confidence1 said ,helen decisively4 ,girls' consciences are elastic1 smiling a little4 ,i think they do not mean to make mischief1 but ,i have known more than one regret caused by an incautious confidence4 ,girls have many things to learn before they are women1 but a light and happy heart is the birthright of a girl and she need not hurry to outgrow it4 ,still one can study wisdom as well as other lessons1 and like most of them1 it is a lifelong study4 ,helen was considering and wondered if she understood4 ,she had never been counseled in this spirit4 ,i want you to know that you are in no sense a charity scholar1 as the phrase goes1 though ,i have had several who worked their way through school1 gave for whatever they obtained1 which is far from charity1 ,i take it4 ,i will only add1 choose your friends1 which implies some discrimination on your part4 ,did you like the girls at the table8 ,they are all in the ,french class and they talk ,french during the five school days4 ,that is not demanded of the new scholars4 ,monday we will begin in regular order and ,i will have your classes arranged4 ,then she touched a pretty bell that stood on the table and ,miss ,aldred answered the summons4 ,grace1 will you take ,miss ,grant through the schoolrooms8 she asked1 and ,miss ,aldred smiled as she gave a gesture of assent4 ,helen followed her guide4 ,this was the general assembly room1 here the different recitation rooms1 here the drawing classes met and there were casts and busts and figures in plaster1 and several very well executed paintings and drawings embellished the walls4 ,then the music room1 and the study room had a piano in it also4 ,helen was a trifle appalled4 ,education had seemed a rather simple thing at ,hope4 ,she sighed as she glanced up at ,miss ,grace4 ,oh1 where is there time to learn it all8 she asked with a sinking at the heart4 ,you do not have to learn it in one day or one week1 was the smiling answer4 ,and every day it grows easier4 ,but--music6 ,i've never even touched a piano4 ,do you sing8 ,yes1 a few little songs and ,sunday hymns4 ,and sometimes out of doors ,i try to catch the bird notes4 ,they are no special tunes1 you know1 but ,i always have to stop at the warble1 and she laughed brightly4 ,miss ,grace nodded1 rather amused4 ,and ,i have never studied ,latin or ,french4 ,everyone has to begin1 though the babies in ,france talk ,french1 which ,i believe once surprised a woman who was traveling in ,france4 ,oh6 ,then ,helen laughed gayly4 ,and this is our drawing room4 ,once a month we have sociables1 given by one of the seniors who has to arrange everything just as she would if she were in society4 ,and the other girls are the guests4 ,it was a beautiful long room1 with a bay window at the side which made a very pretty break in it4 ,at both ends were double windows4 ,the floor was matted1 with rugs here and there4 ,the furniture was simple and tasteful2 two cabinets were filled with handsome china and bric-a-brac1 and there was one case of elegant books4 ,the real reading and study books1 histories1 and so on1 were in the reception room and the study room4 ,then they walked out on the porch where a bevy of girls had congregated4 ,i have been introducing ,miss ,grant to the house1 ,miss ,aldred said in her soft1 pleasant tone1 and now you girls may tell her what we do and how we do it1 and anything else that will not make her feel homesick4 ,helen was sure she should never have one yearning for ,hope ,center4 ,oh1 ,miss ,aldred1 don't you think we might go down town this afternoon and introduce her to the town where she will have to find her social nutriment for the next ten months8 ,social1 indeed1 laughed ,miss ,mays4 ,well1 what is it8 ,our intellectual nutriment is here1 and though we sometimes study wood and wilds you cannot exactly describe it as natural pabulum1 and though we do a little shopping you can't designate it as financial forage4 ,but we will not bother about exact definition until next week1 so that we can go1 ,miss ,aldred8 imploringly4 ,i see no objection at present4 ,the stage had come up with some scholars1 and ,miss ,aldred went to receive them4 ,i am really going to take ,miss ,grant in charge4 ,first1 let us have a walk about our own domain4 ,the front and one side were devoted to pleasure and beauty4 ,some lovely old trees1 a willow touching the ground with its long arms1 two splendid ,norway spruces1 a great catalpa1 maples1 and one fine old elm4 ,two hammocks were swung in the shade1 there were several rustic seats about1 and a table that seemed to invite one to a picnic meal4 ,at the back the decline was a tangle of wildness until it reached the little stream4 ,various wood asters were beginning to bloom1 golden-rod1 balsams1 and several fine1 white blossoms4 ,yet1 it was rather shady and they all had a delicate appearance4 ,and there is a path4 ,you can go down1 exclaimed ,helen1 rather wistfully4 ,and get yourself torn by briers4 ,we won't go down this morning1 for there are pleasanter ways1 and you will have enough of it when you go out botanizing4 ,it is so beautiful4 ,and over there is another hill4 ,her eyes were alight with enthusiasm4 ,and the end of the town lies down in the valley4 ,now around here is the useful and a bit of orchard4 ,the old branching apple tree gives us oceans of bloom in the spring1 and we are allowed to despoil it as it seldom fruits4 ,that's the useful--not exactly the garden of sweet herbs1 but there are some in it4 ,and here is the lovely grape arbor1 if you are not afraid some fierce caterpillar or savage green worm an inch or two long may swing down upon you4 ,there was a long bench at one side1 and the air was fragrant with ripening grapes4 ,they seated themselves1 and ,miss ,mays extended a cordial invitation to the merry group4 ,are we really allowed to8 asked someone1 hesitatingly1 a stranger to the privileges4 ,in reason1 yes4 ,it would be most unkind and ill-bred to strip the vines and offer them for sale in the public market4 ,i hope none of you have been seized with that intention4 ,there are some more prisoners of hope1 as another stage stopped4 ,why prisoners8 ,do they not come of their own accord1 asked ,helen4 ,oh1 ,miss ,grant1 they generally come of their fathers' and mothers' accord the first time4 ,did you really sigh to come8 ,i wanted to1 yes2 in an eager tone4 ,depraved taste4 ,helen looked surprised4 ,that everyone of any intelligence should not long for an education amazed her4 ,and these bright1 pretty girls who must have congenial surroundings seemed the very ones to appreciate it4 ,they were still jesting when the luncheon bell rang4 ,one new table was filled and some vacant spaces in several others4 ,it was beginning to look like quite a family4 ,but ,helen had the feeling of being a guest at a hotel1 just as she had been all the week4 ,they dispersed to their rooms1 and ,helen tried to read a little1 but the words were mixed up with ,french and music4 ,she would like the music she knew4 ,she listened to the sound of the piano on the floor below1 and her whole soul responded to the melody4 ,had anyone ever been so blest before8 ,it was like a fairy story4 ,well1 exclaimed ,miss ,mays an hour or so later1 looking in at the door1 have you a mind ready for a walk1 to see the town4 ,for ,i doubt if otherwise you can be introduced to it before next ,saturday4 ,oh1 yes1 springing up with energy4 ,i begin to think strange places are-- she cast about for a word--fascinating4 ,how many strange places have you seen8 laughingly4 ,not many4 ,a week in ,new ,york and the pretty places and wonders thereabout4 ,new ,york is a marvel by itself4 ,and ,i've never been there1 sighing4 ,i suppose ,i may be classed as a ,westerner4 ,the western part of the ,state4 ,i know several of those cities and ,niagara ,falls and the ,canada side2 we were there two months ago4 ,i did manage to squeeze in1 but the girls didn't want me a bit4 ,papa managed that1 exultingly4 ,helen had been studying ,miss ,mays' attire4 ,her gray frock and coat were just the thing1 and her gray felt hat trimmed with scarlet and a bright wing4 ,so she put it on and was ready4 ,you can learn a good deal by watching other people1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had said4 ,and it is bad taste to make yourself conspicuous4 ,as they stepped out in the hall several others joined them4 ,mrs4 ,aldred nodded to them as they passed out4 ,did you see those two girls on the veranda8 ,they look like twins and might almost as well be4 ,they are fifteen1 birthdays only a week apart4 ,mothers are sisters1 and the fathers cousins4 ,alice and ,annie ,otis4 ,they both have light hair1 but one has darker eyes than the other4 ,and the blue-eyed one is a little stouter4 ,they are to room together4 ,roxy ,mays1 ,i don't see how you find out so much about everybody1 said one of the group4 ,by using my eyes and ears4 ,one of them told part of this to ,miss ,grace1 and the mother of ,annie explained the rest to ,mrs4 ,aldred1 but ,i don't know which ,annie is4 ,i'll guess it is the plump one with a dimple in her chin4 ,they have never been away at school before4 ,you can tell that by their half-frightened look4 ,did ,i look half frightened8 inquired ,helen1 mirthfully1 glancing around4 ,i must say you did not4 ,and we descended upon you so unceremoniously4 ,it might be admissible to ask what you thought of us4 ,that it was very kind of you to call on me4 ,i should have felt much more strange if ,i had speculated all the evening and seen you first this morning4 ,now you see the benefit of rushing in where angels fear to tread4 ,you were placed in our neighborhood1 and we have been neighborly4 ,i thank you very much1 ,helen returned gravely4 ,elm ,avenue ran straight down in the town1 down to the river1 indeed4 ,but the beauty of ,westchester was its main street that intersected this and ran parallel with the river about a quarter of a mile below the school1 and was called ,center ,street4 ,it had all that was of the most account in the town1 the ,court ,house1 a fine building1 a public hall with offices on the lower floor1 two very pretty churches with their parsonages1 several stores1 post-office1 and bank1 and at both ends handsome residences with well-kept grounds4 ,being the county town1 at autumn and spring it displayed a rather busy aspect2 the rest of the time was given over to very delightful1 refined social living4 ,there had been some doubts at first as to whether a girls' boarding-school would not disturb the serene aspect1 but it was not large enough1 and kept very well in hand4 ,from ,center ,street1 streets and avenues branched out both ways4 ,these were substantially built up with large grounds and handsome gardens on the east side1 stretching out finally to farms1 and on the west running down to the river1 that being broken by rifts and rather dangerous places1 was hardly navigable for general business1 though small sloops ventured up when the river was not too low4 ,a mile further down was a bed of clay and a brick-yard1 and two or three factories with a sort of hamlet4 ,three miles below were large iron-works4 ,the railroad ran along the river1 and left the town to its beauty and comparative quiet4 ,it was1 in its surroundings1 much handsomer than ,north ,hope1 and the style of homes betokened both wealth and culture1 a town whose ways were settled1 a town of the better class who had not to consider the ordinary chances of making money4 ,several of the houses were shut up in the winter1 while their occupants went to the city for the season4 ,those who remained at home entertained themselves with various amateur diversions4 ,there was a fine musical club that gave two or three concerts through the winter2 another that had a course of lectures1 and the churches gave fairs and sociables4 ,the four denominations were represented1 but the ,presbyterians were the largest1 oldest and most influential4 ,the small river was spanned by a number of pretty rustic bridges1 and emptied into the greater one that divided it from the neighboring ,state1 whose wooded heights and rocky bluffs were most picturesque4 ,there were only occasional houses1 though down at the brick-yard a small settlement was begun4 ,and already the sun was throwing long shadows from the densest woods1 where firs1 cedars1 and hemlock were almost black against the beeches and hickories1 even now turning yellow at the point of the long leaves2 chestnuts with the brown fringes of bloom that bore no fruit still hanging to them4 ,here and there a pile of rocks1 gray and brown and dotted with glistening gems1 it would seem1 there were points that sparkled so4 ,there a hollow that might be a dryad's cave1 bunches of sumac in autumnal gorgeousness1 tangles of wild growth1 blackberry with its deep red leaves1 cat-briar still green and glossy1 and the confusion of wild woodland growth4 ,oh1 how beautiful it is6 ,helen exclaimed involuntarily4 ,where are you viewing the universe8 ,over beyond the river4 ,do you ever go there8 ,oh1 yes1 we row across4 ,the school owns a boat4 ,it is supposed to be good exercise1 but it does blister your hands4 ,there is a bridge farther up there1 now you can see it4 ,the church spire had hidden it from view1 but it was just a plain1 partly-covered structure4 ,we went over for our picnic4 ,there are swamps of rhododendrons1 and mountain laurel4 ,that is beautiful even in the winter if you are fond of such things4 ,never mind them to-day4 ,there will be some rambles over there presently4 ,let us look nearer home4 ,what are you1 religiously8 ,helen flushed4 ,was she really religious at all8 ,i mean what denomination claims your family8 ,we generally follow in their footsteps4 ,presbyterian1 with a hesitating sound in her voice4 ,then this will be your church4 ,mrs4 ,aldred is a member here1 and ,miss ,grace1 but curiously enough ,miss ,gertrude leans toward ,episcopacy1 and she plays some of the old masses in a way that almost sweeps you along in her current4 ,she is to be an artist4 ,last winter she was in ,new ,york taking lessons1 and she teaches painting1 but we haven't a very artistic lot of girls ,i think4 ,mr4 ,danforth is the clergyman here4 ,you will like him ,i guess4 ,my people are ,methodists4 ,that is my church 'way down below1 but ,i often go there4 ,oh1 let us get on to the stores1 said one of the group4 ,let me see--there are five of us4 ,i'll treat to-day1 that will make us five weeks going round4 ,only on ,saturdays1 mind4 ,they passed the bank1 a very modest building with law offices on the second floor4 ,then the ,court ,house1 which was quite imposing1 and a row of stores1 larger and finer than those in ,hope4 ,an inviting ice-cream parlor with a rustic garden at the side1 divided into vine-covered booths1 claimed their attention1 and they sauntered in1 seating themselves nonchalantly4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,school ,,in ,,earnest ,on ,monday the real work of school began4 ,besides the boarding scholars1 was a day-school of the young ladies and larger girls1 who were either sent away or went to ,aldred ,house4 ,there was an excellent school for the little ones1 and a very good public school1 but ,westchester did not take cordially to this except for the boys4 ,two of the teachers had arrived on ,saturday evening4 ,madame ,meran1 the ,french teacher1 who also gave music lessons to the younger pupils1 and ,miss ,lane1 who taught ,latin and ,german to the few who desired it1 and had dreams of college life4 ,mrs4 ,aldred made no specialty of this1 but some of the pupils insisted on remaining until that time4 ,there were two divisions in the senior class1 two in the junior4 ,helen was glad that ,daisy ,bell was in the ,b4 division4 ,she was not as gay as ,roxy ,mays1 but there was a quality of tenderness in her that was very attractive4 ,she was not quite sure that she would desire to make a warm friend of ,miss ,mays though on ,friday evening her whole heart had gone out to her4 ,she could turn any subject into ridicule so easily1 she could seize on small foibles and distort them with such a winsome grace that they were amusing at the time1 but when one thought them over afterward one saw the little stings that were left behind4 ,it was so different from anything ,helen had dreamed of4 ,at first she thought she would have been happier going to the ,hope ,high ,school and working her way through4 ,there was a feeling that she did not truly and honestly belong in this circle of girls1 many of whom had rich fathers and luxurious homes2 and she wondered if some day she would come to have the careworn and unsatisfied look that ,miss ,lane had4 ,miss ,lane had taught ten years1 beginning when she was nineteen4 ,so she was twenty-nine4 ,and ,i do not believe she has ever had a lover1 said ,miss ,mays4 ,she looks so4 ,what kind of a look is that8 questioned someone4 ,why that discontented1 hungry expression1 that curious alertness1 as if you were looking for something that had never come1 and you were afraid never would4 ,girls1 if ,i had to live until ,i was twenty-nine unmarried---- ,well1 what then8 queried three or four voices4 ,i'd find some way of finishing it out at twenty-five4 ,oh1 you couldn't1 cried ,daisy1 shocked4 ,well1 there are sisterhoods in churches and they are very respectable4 ,my great-aunt ,roxalana has been married twice1 both times to rich men4 ,she's eighty-six now and looks like a fright1 though it is said she was a very pretty young woman4 ,it's safe to say that when your compeers are all dead4 ,oh1 ,i do hope ,i will never outlive my beauty4 ,they all laughed at that4 ,days were divided up like clock-work4 ,you were called at six while the mornings were light4 ,breakfast was at seven4 ,at eight there was a study period4 ,quarter before nine they assembled in the small seated room called the chapel1 by courtesy1 and at nine went into the schoolroom4 ,at eleven they had ten minutes' recreation1 then study until twelve2 an hour for luncheon1 and two hours' study and recitation again4 ,two afternoons a week music lessons4 ,dinner from five to six2 from seven to nine study period1 unless one could get through sooner4 ,helen thought this first day that she had never really studied in her life4 ,she had a quick memory1 at least1 so it had always seemed1 and an absolute genius for mathematics4 ,history1 as far as she had gone1 was a delight4 ,but the ,latin6 ,was there any sense in it8 ,did the old ,romans talk in that tongue8 ,and what was the use of it now1 when ,rome itself was ,italian4 ,you will understand the use of it by and by1 said ,miss ,lane4 ,i am afraid1 so far1 what you have acquired has come too easy1 but a year hence you will be laughing over this when you hear some other girls moan4 ,if the ,latin was a trial1 the music was still more so4 ,when slim fingers glided over the keys with chords of melody it penetrated her very soul1 and she just drew in long breaths of delight4 ,but hers were not slim fingers and running up and down the scale seemed as much beyond her as conversing in ,latin4 ,you are in too great a hurry4 ,you go too hard1 with too much force1 said ,madame ,meran4 ,all that she had done thus far in life had been done in a hurry1 except waiting on ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 who took everything leisurely4 ,she tried not to run upstairs1 as she found only new girls did that1 and not to walk heavily on the uncarpeted floor4 ,and she was glad enough of the experience at ,mrs4 ,dayton's4 ,she was not an awkward girl1 and she watched the others with keen eyes4 ,a fortnight passed before the school was full4 ,one day ,mrs4 ,aldred summoned her4 ,you said the first day you came that you liked people1 that lady began smilingly4 ,as yours is a double room and the other part needed1 ,i am going to give you a choice4 ,you can have a small room to yourself or ,miss ,daisy ,bell will share yours1 and the new scholar take hers4 ,oh1 ,i should like that1 her eyes shining with pleasure4 ,but if she---- ,she is quite willing4 ,this is a first year for both of you1 since she only came last ,easter1 and you may be able to help each other4 ,she is already a fair musician and has had a year's tuition in ,latin2 in several ,english branches you are much in advance4 ,then you have a study habit1 and that she lacks4 ,i am glad ,i have one good quality1 and the eager face flushed with gratification4 ,you have more than one1 smiling4 ,you are too impatient about learning4 ,everything does not come by nature1 and there may be many years to devote to it4 ,i think of only two4 ,i want to crowd in everything ,i can4 ,do not look so far ahead4 ,it is better to live day by day2 better to do to-day's duty4 ,but ,i am falling behind all the time4 ,i spent ,saturday trying to catch up1 instead of having a good time4 ,and ,i do so want to walk in those haunts over the river1 those woods and wilds1 before the frost comes on4 ,you were brave to give it up4 ,they are beautiful even after frost1 and there will be some time to spare4 ,the first week1 the first month1 indeed1 is generally the hardest4 ,then ,i'll send ,miss ,bell to you8 ,i think you will make good comrades4 ,oh1 ,i shall be delighted4 ,she almost ran into ,daisy's arms in the hall4 ,i was coming to tell you some news1 exclaimed the girl eagerly1 her eyes shining with pleasure4 ,about---- ,oh1 ,i know ,roxy ,mays ferreted that out6 ,i do believe it is as she says1 a bird in the air tells her4 ,no4 ,mrs4 ,aldred spoke to me4 ,the sweet face lighted up instantly4 ,that is all right then4 ,i like to have the telling of something first1 don't you8 ,i think we shall get along nicely4 ,i should not like every girl---- ,oh1 thank you2 laughingly4 ,that is true of us all1 isn't it1 or most of us8 ,i would not like to room with anyone who was not neat1 ,i'd like someone fond of study to spur me on4 ,i'm dismal at algebra1 and ,i can help you in the ,latin4 ,and then your room isn't crowded up with everything4 ,i think so much makes you tired4 ,and this is an awful heresy1 but ,i am tired of ,gibson girls1 and nearly all having the same pictures and ornaments4 ,it isn't restful4 ,think of ,claudine ,marr's room4 ,i wonder if she ever draws a good1 unimpeded breath8 ,i'm not surprised that she has headaches4 ,when ,i am tired ,i look out of the window at the most beautiful picture ,i have ever seen4 ,and ,i think how it will change all the autumn4 ,and be dreary in the winter4 ,i do not believe ,i feel about leafless trees as most people do4 ,you see all the fine little twigs and branches1 some days in a gray-purple sort of haze1 some days tipped with shimmering gold1 then silvered with moonlight or sparkling with frost1 and ,i am content that the leaves drop off so that you can see how really wonderful they are4 ,and when the wind tosses them all about1 nature seems rocking them with a lullaby1 you feel as if they were in some degree human4 ,oh1 ,helen1 you ought to be a poet1 ,daisy exclaimed enthusiastically4 ,they had walked to ,helen's room4 ,her clothes were all in the closet1 her books lay on the table1 only her writing-desk was on the chair4 ,she had added nothing to the room1 but she did want a case of shelves4 ,and oddly enough she had not encroached on the other side4 ,daisy wondered rather at that4 ,then ,i may move in at once4 ,oh1 yes4 ,i shall be delighted4 ,come and help me empty my closet4 ,helen did this with pleasure4 ,they had a gay time settling things and were all in order when ,miss ,mays came flying along the hall4 ,so you have formed a partnership1 have you8 ,i had half a mind to suggest it last night when we heard that ,miss ,craven was coming4 ,i've just been introduced to her1 and she's a positive fright4 ,lean1 long1 and lanky1 beautiful alliteration1 is it not8 ,helen1 she would have given you the nightmare4 ,i am satisfied1 and ,helen nodded with a secret feeling of exultation as she met ,daisy's eyes4 ,what conspiracy are you hatching now8 glancing from one to the other4 ,the sound of the dinner bell was sufficient excuse for not answering4 ,for once they had the innings4 ,the new scholar was at the next table to them4 ,she was tall and looked1 as ,roxy said afterwards1 of a very uncertain age4 ,her hair was a rather dull light brown1 her eyes a sort of hazel with bluish lights1 which made them dull1 and a complexion that would never be fair1 with quite a shadow under the eyes4 ,the features were not bad1 but something was needed to give them life4 ,after the study period the two girls went upstairs with their arms around each other4 ,let us run away to-morrow and have a walk and a splendid talk about trees1 said ,daisy4 ,i was thinking all dinner time that ,i needed to be introduced to them4 ,i believe ,i am only acquainted with ,mr4 ,evergreen and ,mr4 ,horse-chestnut4 ,it bothers me to tell an elm tree from a maple and a white-skinned beech from a white birch4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i've promised to devote the afternoon to scales4 ,i've had a little ,latin hammered into me1 but ,i am almost afraid that1 extravagantly as ,i love music ,i shall make small headway in the divine art4 ,and ,madame ,meran was good enough to offer me an extra lesson4 ,then we will take it some other ,saturday4 ,how delightful it is to be together6 ,then they kissed1 girl fashion1 for the first time1 and uttered a tender good-night4 ,two rooms away ,miss ,craven was crying softly and wishing she had not come here4 ,it seemed an out of the way place1 it was a small school1 and ,mrs4 ,aldred's letter had been encouraging4 ,there was all the fortune for her alone4 ,if it had come earlier1 while some of the others were alive to share it6 ,she1 too1 longed for an education so that she might be more able to enjoy it4 ,have you written to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn8 asked ,mrs4 ,aldred on ,saturday morning4 ,i intend to this morning4 ,and to my uncle4 ,mrs4 ,aldred nodded approvingly4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had said1 ,in a fortnight you may write me a letter4 ,then once a month4 ,so it had been a fortnight4 ,she found a good deal to say4 ,she liked the school very much and described her room-mate1 her new studies1 the little she had seen of the town4 ,and there was an enthusiastic gratitude that satisfied the waiting and doubtful heart4 ,there was a good deal to say to ,uncle ,jason1 and yet it was rather difficult not to write too rapturously4 ,when she had finished that she bethought herself of ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,he had asked her to write4 ,she found no trouble here4 ,indeed the luncheon bell rang before she had quite finished4 ,you can go down to the post-office1 ,daisy exclaimed4 ,i want some stamps and some sewing cotton4 ,roxy borrowed mine4 ,she hurried her letter in the envelope4 ,daisy had asked permission4 ,she sent her letters on their way with a light heart1 though as she came back it was rather heavy4 ,such a golden day as it was4 ,and several of the pupils were going out botanizing with ,miss ,grace4 ,they all liked ,miss ,grace very much4 ,a girl less used to giving up would have considered it very hard4 ,but she enjoyed every moment of this brief walk and came home with a great bunch of asters4 ,if you only were going6 ,i should take twice the pleasure4 ,helen ,grant1 ,i do believe ,i have fallen in love with you4 ,i am very glad1 returned ,helen with shining eyes4 ,to think how she had run around the woods in ,hope and never thought of the wonderful beauty ,god had scattered so lavishly everywhere4 ,this delight was knowledge4 ,jenny never felt it as she walked in and out to the factory4 ,and ,aunt ,jane called it nonsense6 ,madame ,meran had some needlework and sat by her counting time1 fingers and thumbs4 ,helen was so in earnest she could not help being interested in her4 ,oh1 do you suppose ,i ever shall learn8 she inquired with a discouraged sigh4 ,and ,i love music so4 ,that is my hope about you4 ,i have seen worse beginnings4 ,you will never make a wonderful pianist1 but you have a really fine voice1 and it is nice to be able to play your own accompaniments4 ,and someone ,i care for very much desires me to learn1 someone to whom ,i owe a debt of gratitude4 ,so ,i shall do my best4 ,then she went on steadily and did master two or three points4 ,now you may go in the study and practice1 as ,i have to take ,miss ,craven in hand1 and ,i can trust you4 ,oh1 thank you6 cried ,helen delightedly4 ,she was just as honest as if ,madame's eyes were on her4 ,she gave the full hour although her wrist ached1 and her thumb seemed to lose its agility4 ,but she had made a slight advance1 she could see that4 ,and there were ten months to be given to study4 ,she went out on the back porch presently1 and then almost to the edge of the flat space4 ,one could go down the hill1 even that was school grounds1 fenced in at the sides1 and up here where there was a gate1 kept locked for the most part4 ,the sun was going down behind the next hill1 and across in the other ,state1 almost as if there were two suns4 ,what gorgeous coloring1 changing1 melting into new and indescribable tints and burnishing here1 making scarlet shades there as if the tree-tops were on fire1 and the rocks molten silver4 ,how could it take on or give out so many colors8 ,she had an impression someone was near and turned4 ,it was the new scholar4 ,there was a wistful expression in her eyes that touched ,helen4 ,no one had taken any special notice of her4 ,helen remembered her own warm welcome4 ,of course1 now everyone was busy with lessons and had settled upon her friends and chums4 ,what could she say8 ,to ask her if she felt at home would be a platitude1 and ,helen knew she did not come any nearer1 as if she might be intruding4 ,what a slim figure she had1 and her frock was of fine1 soft material that clung like the draperies in some of the studies4 ,she wore a very handsome chain and the watch edge just showed above her belt4 ,her hands were long and thin and she had a nervous manner of using them4 ,she wore two beautiful rings4 ,helen took a step towards her4 ,i wonder if you had such a battle with music as ,i did1 she began1 with girlish gayety4 ,it seemed as if ,i must have tried ,madame's patience until there was nothing left for you4 ,i am beginning to wonder how an excellent player who has an ear attuned to harmony can endure such stupidity4 ,miss ,craven stared with a sort of uncertainty4 ,i should not think you were stupid4 ,you look so bright and vivacious4 ,i am afraid ,i wasn't born with the art of music along with the love for it4 ,i have studied a little1 alone mostly1 and find ,i have some bad habits4 ,and ,i like it beyond everything4 ,if she only wouldn't be so stiff and distant6 ,i never touched a piano until ,i came here4 ,and one can't expect to be an expert in four lessons1 ,helen said in a half-humorous tone4 ,miss ,craven flushed and it was not a pretty color4 ,you like it here8 ,were you a new scholar this year8 ,you look very young4 ,i was fourteen in the summer4 ,yes1 ,i am a new scholar4 ,but ,i have grown very much at home4 ,then there was a pause4 ,helen bethought herself of the other question4 ,yes1 ,i like it extremely4 ,it is such a beautiful place4 ,i've been studying the sunset and wishing ,i could paint a picture of it4 ,i've come to wish so many things of late1 laughing at herself4 ,and ,i like the teachers4 ,i don't know many of the seniors1 and ,i am in junior ,b4 ,i am taking some private lessons1 hesitatingly4 ,poor girl6 ,she could not even have passed a junior ,b examination4 ,there's such a pretty girl at your table4 ,her hair is the color one sometimes gets in a sunset1 a bright gold1 and yet it isn't the color so much as the curious waviness and stir all about it4 ,it seems alive4 ,and her complexion is beautiful1 her eyes fairly laugh4 ,that is ,miss ,mays4 ,she isn't really in our class4 ,she's an ',a' scholar4 ,every month someone new is elected for hostess4 ,you are at the head of the table4 ,you see that everything is served1 that no one is--well1 not exactly rude or awkward1 but not up to the mark4 ,and you keep a certain order4 ,i spilled my coffee this morning4 ,my spoon was in my cup and ,i just touched it with my cuff4 ,i wish ,i could have gone through the floor or run away4 ,but one has to learn all these nice things if one means to--to be anybody4 ,i learned some of them in the summer4 ,i was with a friend1 and ,helen flushed without quite knowing why4 ,i was a regular country girl--on a farm4 ,i was too4 ,i begin to think ,i ought not have come here1 but ,i did not want to go where there were one or two hundred girls1 and ,i did want to learn nice ways1 hesitatingly4 ,then this is the very place to come4 ,only ,i did not imagine they were all rich girls2 that is1 society people1 awkwardly4 ,oh1 they are not4 ,two of the seniors mean to teach next year1 so they cannot be rich4 ,and one girl is going to an art school and means to work her way through4 ,of course most of them have fathers to care for them4 ,i have never had anyone to care in that way4 ,and it is curious1 but on my father's side ,i have not a single near relative1 perhaps none at all4 ,and my mother was an only child4 ,i have neither father or mother1 returned ,helen4 ,but ,i have some very kind relatives on my mother's side4 ,it is dreadful to be all alone1 and to think---- ,miss ,craven paused and compressed her lips1 looked indeed as if she would cry1 but winked very hard4 ,and then ,helen noticed that she had lovely long lashes1 much darker than her hair and that her upper eyelids were thin1 almost transparent4 ,it was queer how she was beginning to see these little points of comeliness4 ,oh1 there are the girls6 she said4 ,they were winding round into ,elm ,avenue1 with great bunches of wild flowers and bright leaves1 and one girl with an armful of golden-rod4 ,i am much obliged for the talk1 and with a sudden abruptness ,miss ,craven disappeared4 ,helen looked after her a moment4 ,she was lonely and unhappy4 ,she would like very much to know her story4 ,the girls speculated upon her and decided that she was a nobody come into a fortune4 ,private lessons1 of necessity1 cost more1 so she must have money4 ,then her clothes1 though not showy1 were expensive and had a true modiste air4 ,there was evidently something she did not want the world to know2 she had not been used to society1 and she was hopelessly plain4 ,miss ,mays made rhymes about her on the ,lear nonsense pattern4 ,you really couldn't help laughing at a great deal of bright criticism she indulged in if her comments were rather sarcastic4 ,helen ran down the steps out to the sidewalk1 looking happy and merry4 ,you poor child1 you are not yet resolved into a demi-semi-quaver or any other shaky thing4 ,but you should have been with us6 ,i was awfully afraid of snakes1 and one had to sit down and help to pick out the beggar ticks1 though ,i long to give them the old-fashioned1 appropriate country name4 ,why such things were allowed to grow ,i can't see4 ,we discovered a new rivulet meandering down the mountain side1 and a royal bed of ferns1 and one of two new specimens of bloom4 ,as for you--,i observe the jabberwock has not slain you1 so ,i suppose you conquered him6 ,helen laughed as she took ,roxy's outstretched hand1 which she could not very well help1 and said1 ,i have the answer of a good conscience4 ,and we have the answer of sights and sounds and a wonderful sunset4 ,yes1 ,i saw that4 ,the girls were talking across each other and showing flowers4 ,becky1 the general factotum1 brought a jardiniere and put in all but the golden-rod1 which was reserved for a tall ,japanese vase1 and they were set on each side of the hall door4 ,then the crowd went to fix up a little for dinner4 ,helen stole a furtive glance over at ,miss ,craven4 ,she was simply stolid1 indifferent1 and went to her room while the others paced up and down the piazza in twos and threes1 exchanging confidences1 or someone sang a song in the long parlor4 ,miss ,lane1 down in one corner of the veranda1 was telling ,greek legends to half a dozen girls4 ,it was a picture of friendly content and enjoyment4 ,i wonder if ,miss ,craven is crying in her room8 and ,helen really longed to go to her4 ,she was so overflowing with happiness4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,the ,,courage ,,of ,,convictions ,the last mail came up just after dinner4 ,it was in the ,aldred ,house mail-bag1 and ,mrs4 ,aldred handed out the letters4 ,one she laid on the table4 ,but the recipient had no idea of it and was not among the applicants4 ,when they were all gone she took that up4 ,it was in a modern business hand with a good deal of strength in it1 not the kind of hand usual for country farmers4 ,the post mark was ,north ,hope4 ,will you ask ,miss ,grant to come to me1 ,becky8 ,helen flew with eager blitheness through the hall and glanced with happy inquiring eyes4 ,was there a letter for me8 ,i did not expect one so soon4 ,is this from your uncle8 she held it up4 ,oh1 no4 ,that is from ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,i could tell that hand among a hundred4 ,isn't it strong and quite as if he knew his own mind8 ,she was positively eager with delight as she reached out her hand4 ,he is no relative8 ,oh1 the ,principal of the school where ,i went4 ,you know ,i told you of the interest he took in me4 ,of course you have read the school regulations in your room8 ,helen's bright face was suddenly shadowed4 ,oh1 ,i do believe--,i did forget all about it4 ,i wrote to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn and then to my uncle1 and there seemed so many things ,i wanted to say to him1 and ,i just hurried them down4 ,you see he asked me to write to him---- ,helen paused embarrassed4 ,she knew just where the little card was tacked beside the door4 ,various rules and regulations and hours and a notice that no correspondence would be allowed without permission1 to any gentleman except father and brothers or guardians4 ,and she had never thought of it at that moment4 ,it must have been because he seemed to me like a guardian1 she explained4 ,that does not excuse my inattention1 but please believe me1 ,mrs4 ,aldred1 that ,i didn't willfully break the rule4 ,and you may read the letter4 ,you have the right of the first reading of it4 ,sit here1 will you8 ,helen cut the end of the envelope1 and was soon lost in it4 ,smiles passed over her face1 then she drew her brows in a little crease and the lips were pressed together with a touch of annoyance4 ,then the smiles again4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had asked that ,helen ,grant should not be allowed to correspond with ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,she did not approve of his influence over ,helen4 ,it was too purely masculine4 ,and ,helen was too young to have a man friend4 ,it might divide her school interest1 and she had selected ,aldred ,house because she wanted ,helen to have the best feminine training4 ,mrs4 ,aldred had smiled over this when she read ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's letter4 ,strange that the fear should so soon have materialized4 ,will you please read it1 asked ,helen in a low tone4 ,i think he doesn't quite like a girls' school4 ,and he is all for study4 ,he would push anyone right straight along1 and he believes my music would be wasted time4 ,i dare say ,i confessed ,i was not very bright at it4 ,the letter was certainly unobjectionable1 a little severe perhaps1 betraying the school principal1 but still showing the high esteem in which he held ,helen's capabilities4 ,such a correspondence would not be likely to do any student harm4 ,you see1 ,helen1 she began in a tone of sweet friendliness1 ,i am answerable for the girls committed to my charge4 ,some of the older ones have young men friends who would be very glad to keep up a correspondence1 and no doubt two or three years hence the girls would feel mortified at knowing letters of theirs were in the man's possession4 ,i have known young lads to read letters aloud to their college or club friends4 ,it is a demoralizing and indiscreet thing1 and no high-minded mother would consent to her daughter doing it without her knowledge or inspection4 ,one rule1 therefore1 must apply to all such correspondences without the mother's consent4 ,a letter like this would do a girl no harm1 indeed1 ,i think your ,mr4 ,warfield rather severe4 ,i don't quite understand how ,i could have done it so carelessly1 ,helen said in her frank1 honest way4 ,and ,i am very1 very sorry4 ,but ,i should like to write and explain to him why it is--she cast about for a word--inadmissable4 ,of course it is best to do that4 ,helen glanced up in such a straightforward fashion4 ,there was nothing concealed4 ,and to make her renunciation still more earnest and the obedience more cheerful1 she said3 ,i don't mean that ,i shouldn't care for the letters1 for ,i understand what ,mr4 ,warfield means by every line1 and sometimes it would be a pleasure to write to so good a friend1 for after all ,i owe him the best fortune of my life4 ,i am doing it without any demur because it is one of the rules of the school and ,i do honestly and truly wish to keep them4 ,thank you for your ready acquiescence1 and ,mrs4 ,aldred's smile told ,helen the thoughtlessness had been condoned4 ,i will bring it to you to decide upon---- ,no1 the lady replied1 ,i can trust you to say just what is right and proper4 ,helen's eyes were in a soft mist as she raised them1 and picking up her letter she made a graceful obeisance as she left the room4 ,yes1 there was the notice4 ,how could she have let it slip from her mind4 ,she had a vague idea that it really couldn't apply to a man like ,mr4 ,warfield1 but it was the rule and it must be kept4 ,it did take a certain something out of her life that she could not have described1 but she felt it4 ,he was so interested in her progress4 ,for had he not roused her and made a scholar out of her8 ,she might never have known what the hunger meant but for him1 and accepted the husks even if under protest4 ,how much richer and finer all her life would be4 ,she said frankly that she was sorry1 and that she had counted on the letters4 ,he was annoyed at the foolishness as he termed it4 ,if she were sixteen instead of fourteen it would have been different4 ,the days were so full and passed so rapidly to ,helen4 ,the autumn came on in all its glory and splendor4 ,the hills1 they were almost mountains1 about ,westchester were wonderful in their changing colors1 but she thought nothing could describe those over the river until she began to read ,ruskin1 and that brought her nearer ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn again4 ,she and ,daisy ,bell slipped into a pleasant girl friendship4 ,helen was the stronger1 more energetic1 more ambitious4 ,but then ,daisy had only to be educated1 to go home to her parents and take a place in society and marry4 ,the girls did talk of the kind of husbands they would like and the wedding journeys they would take4 ,two of the seniors were really engaged4 ,and you can't tell how many have lovers1 ,miss ,mays said one evening when several were sitting1 curled up on one bed4 ,of course you can't write to him unless you are regularly engaged and your mother consents4 ,but if ,i wanted to correspond with anyone1 ,i'd find a way4 ,and disobey the rule1 declared ,helen4 ,oh1 a chit like you doesn't know anything about such matters4 ,all is fair in love and war4 ,and there are times when strategy is commendable4 ,you find it a great resource in war as you read history4 ,but you wouldn't1 really1 ,roxy6 ,girls are sometimes sent home in disgrace4 ,i didn't say ,i would4 ,i said ,i could find a way if ,i wanted to1 and she laughed with a sort of light amusement4 ,i often think up scenes that would do for a novel2 difficulties and how to get out of them4 ,i don't want any more difficulties than the lessons1 declared another4 ,i shall be glad when school days are through with4 ,the happiest time of life is youth6 ,not much6 ,what period do you think will be the happiest8 asked ,daisy1 thoughtfully4 ,my happiest period will be going abroad on a wedding tour1 and all the money ,i can spend on the other side4 ,and mine will be the intervening years1 declared ,roxy4 ,through school1 lots of society1 gayety1 and admirers and a few flirtations before ,i settle down4 ,i'd like to go abroad quite free1 and leave the aching hearts behind4 ,and you will make hearts ache1 ,roxy ,mays4 ,helen wondered at times how much she liked her1 and others quite went down to her4 ,she was piquant and could be very charming1 then she said sharp and doubtful things1 and had a way of twisting axioms around that was amusing and rather dangerous1 too4 ,she stood fairly well in her classes1 but she was not an ambitious girl4 ,how few of them considered what they were going to do with their education4 ,after a month or so1 ,helen began to have what ,daisy called an insight into ,latin4 ,but1 oh1 dear1 when she was fairly grounded there she would have to take up ,french4 ,and when it came time to sit at the ,french table and ask for everything in a foreign tongue1 how could she do it8 ,i shall simply starve1 announced ,roxy4 ,and after ,christmas that will be my fate4 ,i shall keep crackers and cheese under my pillow and nibble on them in the long and sleepless hours of the night4 ,there was a good deal of fun when she came to know girls quite well1 and the arguing almost to quarreling4 ,some girls did and then would not speak for days4 ,helen and ,daisy agreed very well2 ,helen was robustly conscientious1 and ,daisy gently so4 ,they were of much assistance to each other4 ,besides the boarders there were the day scholars who lived in the town1 and some visiting was permitted4 ,helen was too busy to indulge in much outside pleasure except just for exercise4 ,she asked permission one day to go down the hill for the sake of climbing up4 ,and ,i can say over the ,latin exercises1 no one will think me crazy1 because no one will be there to hear4 ,miss ,grace laughed and gave permission1 and so it became quite a favorite excursion ground4 ,if she made blunders there was no one to laugh but herself4 ,cold weather came on4 ,the crimsons turned to russet and brown1 the hickories grew paler and paler until their gold had degenerated and their leaves shriveled up4 ,there was a soft1 light snow the middle of ,november that hung about on everything for a day or two and then winter seemed to set in4 ,but it was so cheerful with the crowd of girls and the interested teachers that one didn't mind it4 ,miss ,craven was still very self-contained and reserved4 ,she took her place in some classes1 however4 ,in music she improved rapidly1 leaving ,helen far behind4 ,she spoke to ,helen now and then of her own accord1 but waited for the others to speak to her4 ,mrs4 ,aldred took special pains to make her feel at home4 ,there's something queer about that girl1 said ,miss ,mays one evening4 ,and ,craven is not an attractive name1 though it seems to suit her4 ,i hope her father hasn't been a bank defaulter1 nor a forger1 nor a swindler6 ,you notice that she seldom looks up at anyone4 ,that suggests concealment4 ,is that a fair judgment8 ,well1 ,i like a person to look you straight in the eye4 ,roxy ,mays1 you could stare anyone out of countenance in two minutes1 no matter how straight they looked at you4 ,and hasn't someone written a verse or two about down-dropping lids and shy eyes1 and eyes that seem to listen rather than look4 ,as if eyes could listen6 ,isn't every sense assisted by every other sense8 ,and doesn't a deaf person listen with the eyes8 ,well--,i don't like her4 ,she doesn't take hold anywhere4 ,you must meet people half-way4 ,now here is ,helen frank to a fault1 and looking up at you like a saucy robin4 ,one would know she has nothing to conceal4 ,helen flushed and laughed4 ,she often recurred to ,mrs4 ,aldred's suggested caution4 ,she occasionally heard girls tell incidents about their families that were neither amusing nor commendable1 and that others turned into ridicule4 ,some of these1 girls would laugh at ,uncle ,jason1 and oh1 what would they say about ,aunt ,jane6 ,she had simply mentioned them with the utmost respect4 ,and that a relative of ,mrs4 ,aldred's was educating her was sufficient4 ,well1 there seems to be plenty of money in the ,craven exchequer4 ,her toilette articles are exquisite4 ,i don't believe she had the taste to choose them1 nor her clothes either4 ,oh1 girls1 let her alone4 ,isn't ,miss ,reid just as distant and self-contained8 ,she never joins any of the little crowds1 nor mingles in the fun4 ,well1 she's of the severe order and is going to college4 ,i'm glad ,i don't have to go2 if ,i did it would be purely for fun4 ,i'm in for all the good times ,i can possibly get4 ,how odd it was that so few girls really cared for knowledge6 ,of course1 the fun was exhilarating1 the sharpening of wits made one bright4 ,roxy ,mays was an expert at twisting and turning and repartee1 and making the worse seem the better reason4 ,some of it was amusing4 ,but to magnify any trifling thing into a part of one's character1 to give hard judgment on the shape of one's features or the expression of one's eyes and mouth1 seemed hardly fair to ,helen4 ,she wondered sometimes if one could grow beautiful on high and noble thoughts8 ,one felt broader and better at heart by giving a more generous allowance4 ,she soon found that ,roxy had a bad fault1 and all the girls in her set condoned it easily1 while several of them grumbled about it to each other4 ,she was always borrowing little articles and seldom returned them4 ,i'll take your pencil a moment1 she would say4 ,i'll just run over this book1 and you had to go after your book4 ,it was thread and needles1 buttons of various kinds1 even to a shirtwaist set1 and if one button or pin came up missing she was very sorry and would be sure to replace it when she went down town4 ,borrowing money was against the rules4 ,there had once been a disagreeable trouble in the school about this matter1 and now ,mrs4 ,aldred kept a bank for any girl that had run ahead of her allowance1 from which she was at liberty to borrow4 ,running up an account in the town was also forbidden4 ,how soon ,christmas came6 ,it fell on ,saturday4 ,some of the girls were going home1 several to visit friends or relatives1 and those who remained were given a holiday4 ,miss ,lane was to go2 ,madame ,meran on ,monday2 ,miss ,gertrude was to have the week in ,new ,york4 ,none of the other teachers resided in the house4 ,thursday night there fell a real snow4 ,the others had been beautiful attempts that had melted away in the next sunshine4 ,friday morning was dull and gray1 without a breath of air4 ,the roofs wore white hoods or blankets1 the trees absolutely stood still1 ermined to their finger ends1 someone said4 ,but at ten the somber clouds began to give way1 growing thinner and thinner1 and one spot rather to the south suddenly became glorified with silvery touches1 then golden and azure1 and the world was in a flood of sunshine4 ,helen thought she had never seen anything so glorious before4 ,oh1 you beautiful1 beautiful world6 she cried as she stood out on the porch1 having said good-by to a group of girls4 ,it's a splendid thing just to live6 ,but isn't it knowledge that enables one to understand and appreciate it all6 ,she went through the hall4 ,miss ,craven had just come downstairs4 ,oh1 let us go out and look at the snow on our own small ravine4 ,i am a country girl1 and ,i think ,i have never really seen a snowstorm before1 laughing4 ,i lived in a rather flat country4 ,miss ,craven's face slowly lighted up and an expression went over it like a smile that had not the courage to come out1 but she followed readily4 ,there was the smooth expanse over to the iron fence1 then the tops of trees and shrubbery1 set with thousands of gems of all colors1 depending on the rays of the sun4 ,the black hollow1 that was the little stream they could not see from the porch1 the elevation on the other side1 the houses and grounds1 the men shoveling paths1 children snow-balling1 active life already and here the extreme of silence4 ,what a picture6 ,and ,i lived among hills and mountains1 remarked ,miss ,craven4 ,i used to get so tired of the solitude4 ,but you can be alone---- pausing abruptly1 and adding3 ,you are not going away8 ,no4 ,but you shiver4 ,are you cold8 ,let us go upstairs to my room and have a talk4 ,i shall be alone until next ,saturday night4 ,daisy ,bell has gone off to have a lovely time4 ,there was no one who wanted me enough to petition for me1 though ,i believe ,i was not to go home until next summer4 ,oh1 you have a home8 ,yes2 and relatives4 ,come in1 as they had reached the room4 ,we who remain have a holiday1 and just now ,i do not feel in the humor for any serious thing4 ,let us compare our work4 ,you are doing very well in music1 ,madame said4 ,i ask about you2 and there was an expression of real interest in ,helen's face that called a pleased flush to that of ,miss ,craven4 ,yes1 but ,i do love it so2 and there was an intensity in her tone that aroused ,helen4 ,if ,i were not so ignorant of other things ,i would devote my whole time to it4 ,and if ,i could sing6 ,you have such a fine voice4 ,it is strong enough to lead a forlorn hope4 ,i'd like it to be a contralto4 ,there is so much depth and feeling and pathos in a contralto voice4 ,did you hear ,miss ,morgan sing ',mary o' the ,dee' a few evenings ago8 ,madame thinks she ought to settle upon music as a profession4 ,helen had placed ,daisy's rocking chair for her guest4 ,there was a slant ray of sunshine coming in the window1 and the room had a habitable air that some people always give4 ,daisy ,bell possessed this in an eminent degree4 ,i sometimes wish ,i were not alone1 began ,miss ,craven4 ,only ,i feel that girls are not attracted to me4 ,i suppose ,i am too old for girls1 and ,i don't know enough for the young ladies4 ,i almost made up my mind that ,i wouldn't stay1 but ,mrs4 ,aldred has been so kind4 ,and perhaps it would not be better anywhere else4 ,i am nineteen4 ,the girls had speculated about her age4 ,miss ,mays said she was at least twenty-five4 ,and ,i'm not fifteen yet1 laughing brightly4 ,i wish ,i could be fifteen1 but ,i would not like to go back and live the four years over again4 ,my life has been a very dreary one4 ,you are so reserved4 ,don't you really like girls8 ,i like you4 ,i have ever since that day you first talked to me4 ,but you have so many friends1 and ,i do not want to intrude4 ,i do not know how to make friends1 hesitatingly1 while the tears flooded her eyes4 ,were you compelled to live alone8 ,helen did not want to seem over curious4 ,she had visions of some queer old aunt who had shut her doors to everybody4 ,yes4 ,i'd like to tell you some things ,i could not tell ,mrs4 ,aldred2 at least1 my guardian's wife advised me not to be too frank about my life1 since it probably would not interest anybody1 or if it did they would pretend to admire me and care for the money's sake and what they could get out of me4 ,grandfather always said so4 ,i don't know as he meant me to have it all1 but he left no will1 and as there was no one else it had to come to me4 ,i'd like to hear about it if you did not mind4 ,and--if you would like to be friends---- ,oh1 you don't know how dreary it is to be so much alone4 ,mrs4 ,davis thought the school such a foolish plan4 ,but ,i was so ignorant4 ,i didn't feel that ,i could go into society without knowing something4 ,and ,i have learned a good deal by watching the girls4 ,many of them have such lovely manners4 ,but if ,i had just one friend to talk things over with---- ,there was such a longing in her tone that it seemed fairly to sweep through ,helen4 ,i don't know whether ,i should be a very judicious friend4 ,oh1 if ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn could only set this girl straight1 she thought1 for that lady's wisdom had come to be nearly the whole book of the world for ,helen4 ,but if you liked to try me4 ,i should be true1 ,i can answer for that1 and the trustiness rang in her voice4 ,i've really had no one but ,mrs4 ,davis1 and ,i haven't been drawn to her1 although she has been very kind4 ,yet she is so different from ,mrs4 ,aldred1 and ,i can't tell which is nearer right4 ,only ,i do enjoy it better here4 ,it is more like the harmony in music4 ,then ,i am confused in a big city1 and ,i really couldn't go into society4 ,how did you come to live so much alone8 inquired ,helen1 feeling as if she was unraveling a story4 ,father died when ,arthur and ,i were very little1 and mother went home to his father's4 ,it's a queer1 curious place with great mountainous ridges on one side1 and on the other1 to the south1 stretches of land1 good for nothing much1 being iron fields1 a sort of dreary waste1 not considered good enough in ore to be worked much4 ,grandfather had bought it twenty or thirty years before in a great speculating time1 then it had dropped down4 ,i suppose the misfortunes soured him4 ,he had a small farm beside1 kept a cow1 and an old nag1 and pigs and chickens4 ,mother was his daughter-in-law4 ,the house up in the mountainside was old and forlorn1 but as grandfather said1 ',it didn't leak and it couldn't blow over4' ,the little town was more than a mile away4 ,i used to go in to school when the weather wasn't too bad4 ,arthur died soon after we went there4 ,he was older than ,i4 ,grandfather had not really cared for me1 he was queer and morose1 and that disappointed him4 ,girls were of very little account except to keep house and mend old clothes4 ,i did love school and study4 ,when ,i was about thirteen there was a very hard winter1 and mother took a cold4 ,i suppose it was consumption4 ,she just grew weaker and thinner1 and really didn't give up until a few weeks before she died4 ,she was a good deal troubled about me4 ,i've seen that plainer since than ,i did then4 ,and she kept saying1 ',if any good ever comes to you1 any money or any time1 get an education4 ,and don't marry any man until you have acquired that4' ,it was very lonely when she was gone1 and ,i had the house to keep4 ,oxford village wasn't very much1 three or four hundred people1 and mostly farms1 just one little spot with a church1 schoolhouse1 country store and post-office4 ,i couldn't go to school any more1 grandfather always went to town with butter and eggs and the produce he could spare4 ,i lost track of folks as one may say4 ,grandfather didn't believe in church-going1 and ,i seldom had anything nice to wear4 ,we were real hermits4 ,you see ,i was kept pretty busy4 ,but ,i used to study the old books over4 ,there were two or three music books1 and ,i learned to read music just for a pastime4 ,then ,i made a sort of keyboard and used to practise4 ,i meant to have a piano if ,i was fifty years old4 ,a year ago in ,august1 a man who had a new way of separating iron ore1 and was concerned with a railroad surveying a new route1 struck ,oxford1 and was surprised that it had lain unimproved so long4 ,a company was formed that pushed things1 and they wanted to buy out grandfather4 ,there was a great deal of wrangling and they were at the house nearly every day4 ,the rails were laid and a big smelting furnace begun4 ,in six months no one would have known the place4 ,one stretch of land they were quite in doubt about buying when it was discovered to have a vein of very valuable iron in it1 hematite1 and then he would not sell it1 but leased it to the company for five years and he was to have a percentage on every ton of iron taken out of it4 ,he still had the farm and we went on as usual1 but it seemed as if he was more and more difficult to get along with and grew more sordid in his views4 ,of course there was always plenty to eat1 but ,i did long for some of the other enjoyments4 ,to spend half of my life in that wild spot seemed unendurable4 ,one blustering ,march day he had been out on the ridge all the afternoon1 but though he ate a hearty supper he complained of feeling cold4 ,i made him a hot drink and put a brick steaming with herbs to his feet4 ,the next morning he had fever and was flighty1 but he wouldn't consent to have a doctor4 ,and when he was wild with delirium and ,i sent1 it was too late4 ,in five days he was dead with pneumonia4 ,it seemed dreadful that he should die on the eve of prosperity1 but ,i wonder if he would have done anything worth while with his wealth4 ,there was no will4 ,i was the only heir1 though a cousin did come from parts unknown and was easily bought off as he had no real claim4 ,this ,mr4 ,davis had been doing some of the business for grandfather1 and was a director ,i believe4 ,there had to be an administrator and a guardian appointed for me1 and then ,i found ,i was a rich young woman1 with a prospect of being richer still4 ,mrs4 ,davis took me in her house and was very kind to me4 ,but ,i had a feeling that ,i wanted the education ,i had so hungered for and missed4 ,she proposed a year in a convent to be trained in ladylike ways4 ,i had a longing to know what real girls were like2 ,i wanted to go to some nice quiet school and have that training before ,i went out in the world4 ,i was afraid of society women1 and ,i did not want to be married out of hand4 ,there was a ,mrs4 ,howard who came to stay at the summer home of ,mrs4 ,davis4 ,she was not so full of pleasure as some of the ladies1 and once when they were all out on the golf links we had a walk and a talk1 and she thought my desire to go to some small quiet school a very good one4 ,she had a niece educated here and admired her training very much4 ,she wrote for me and forwarded me the answer1 and then ,i wrote1 and this is the result4 ,mrs4 ,aldred is kindness itself1 and agreed that private lessons would be best until ,i could begin to compete with other girls4 ,what ,i have gathered is such desultory knowledge1 and ,i'm like a child in some things4 ,oh1 can't you see that8 ,and ,i am afraid of being laughed at4 ,you all seem so bright1 so ready with your talk1 you know so much that ,i envy you4 ,and if ,i am going to be a rich woman ,i want to know and to do some of the best things4 ,i don't believe ,i could be satisfied with buying gowns and going to parties4 ,there1 it is a long story1 and it is odd to tell it to you1 only there is such a look in your eyes at times that it seemed to me you would understand and not laugh or hold me up to ridicule4 ,there was an almost breathless intensity in the face1 a half fear as well1 but the telling of her sad story had roused her from her ordinary apathy4 ,i certainly should not ridicule you1 ,helen began decisively4 ,why1 ,i think it is very brave of you to want to be educated when you could lead a life of ease and pleasure4 ,and ,i am beginning to suspect that a love of knowledge is not universal1 but ,i like it myself4 ,there is so much in the world that ,i wonder women do not keep going on as some of the men do4 ,only then1 ,i suppose1 they wouldn't marry4 ,and you would have to be quite rich to do it4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,a ,,little ,,seed ,,sown ,the two girls rocked slowly back and forth1 stealing side-wise glances at each other4 ,helen was very glad there was nothing derogatory in the story4 ,she seemed to understand the sort of man grandfather ,craven was2 there were two or three of them about ,hope1 if they had no iron mines in prospect4 ,they did not believe in education in modern methods1 nor anything but saving up money4 ,how did it look to grandfather ,craven on the other side of the river1 she wondered8 ,i wish ,i could help you1 ,helen began presently4 ,all her sympathy went out to the girl of nineteen who was very little older than herself1 who had lost four or five of the choicest years out of her life4 ,if it had been because her mother was an invalid all that time1 one could see the use of it4 ,or if her grandfather had been poorly and needed care4 ,oh1 you have helped me by understanding as you do1 returned ,miss ,craven4 ,and now when ,i catch a glance of your eye it will give me courage4 ,i am sure you are right4 ,and if some of the girls knew your story---- ,oh1 no1 no6 with quick1 pained apprehension1 ,i shouldn't want them to4 ,i hope you---- ,juliet ,craven felt she could trust this girl without a word1 that it would be almost an insult to doubt her integrity4 ,why1 she did not know4 ,she was not sufficiently versed in human nature to explain its intricacies4 ,if you mean that ,i could not betray a confidence1 you are just right there1 with a heightened color4 ,but ,miss ,grace is wise and judicious and understands girls4 ,only--,i don't know as ,i can make it clear1 but ,i am afraid of almost everybody4 ,i have lived alone so much1 ,i think ,i am like someone who has been blind for years and whose eyes are suddenly opened1 and he cannot judge accurately of anything4 ,i hear the girls at times mapping out characters with such a degree of certainty that ,i envy them4 ,i do not seem to know how to judge anyone4 ,and their judgment isn't right half the time1 laughed ,helen4 ,it takes a great deal of wisdom and experience to do this1 and ,i do not believe any young schoolgirl has enough4 ,i haven't4 ,i've changed my mind ever so many times about some of the girls until ,i almost began to think ,i hadn't any mind at all4 ,juliet ,craven smiled at that4 ,if this bright girl could not judge correctly--but then she was not fifteen1 and she1 ,juliet1 more than four years older4 ,i am glad someone knows it all4 ,i have only told half to ,mrs4 ,aldred1 though ,i suppose ,mrs4 ,howard explained why ,i was so backward4 ,oh1 do you think ,i shall ever catch up8 and there was a piteous anxiety in her voice4 ,why1 you have done a great deal in music in this brief time4 ,but ,i love music so4 ,and literature enchants me4 ,but analysis of language1 and higher mathematics--,i never shall master them ,i know4 ,i think no one could trip me up on spelling1 however4 ,when ,i found a difficult word in a book ,i spelled it over for days1 and the faint impression of a smile crossed her lips4 ,but the meanings puzzle me4 ,it is hard oftentimes to think of the correct word1 and that makes me afraid to talk4 ,i have always had a good many to talk to1 and that must make a difference1 and the thought of living almost alone on a mountain1 out of the reach of people1 crossed ,helen's mind and gave her a shudder4 ,oh1 ,i don't see how you lived so alone6 she cried vehemently4 ,it was dreadful after mother was gone4 ,if ,i could have gone down in town once in awhile1 but there was so much to do1 and grandfather always said he didn't want women folks bothering round when he went anywhere4 ,then it was so far to church1 though ,i did go once in a great while when ,i had anything to wear4 ,but the girls ,i had known in school forgot me1 and were married1 or busy about other things4 ,and ,i somehow grew used to talking to the dumb creatures and the denizens of the woods4 ,i always kept thinking that something would happen and ,i'd have a chance4 ,and ,i resolved that ,i would go to school and get an education as mother wished4 ,but ,i never thought how hard it would be to begin back like a child a dozen or so years old4 ,you see grandfather was seventy-six when mother died1 and my vague plan was when he had gone1 to sell everything and go away4 ,i couldn't ever have dreamed of so much money4 ,and now ,i don't know what to do with it4 ,mrs4 ,davis said it would all come right when ,i married some nice man1 who would take care of it and manage it for me1 but ,mrs4 ,howard said get some education first1 and ,i would be better able to know what ,i wanted4 ,though ,i am sure ,i don't want to be married4 ,the education will certainly be best1 ,helen returned with the gravity of twenty4 ,and ,i think you ought not be discouraged so soon4 ,there is so much more to learn than ,i had any idea of4 ,and when ,i look ahead---- ,oh1 don't look ahead1 cried ,helen laughingly4 ,just live day by day1 ',sufficient to the day is the evil thereof1' and ,i wonder if the good will not be sufficient also6 ,it is only about a year ago that ,i cared anything for education1 ,i was just a country girl too1 and suddenly roused1 ,i didn't know how ,i could compass it when a way was opened4 ,i can have two splendid years1 and ,i mean to crowd them full4 ,i don't know what will happen after that1 and ,i am not going to worry about it4 ,you can have all the years you are minded to take1 and you will succeed1 ,i know4 ,the tone was buoyant1 inspiriting4 ,to ,helen the prospect was enchanting4 ,already she had learned what a factor money was1 what a blessing to have enough of it that one need not feel anxious about the future4 ,she would settle her plans at once4 ,stay three years here at ,aldred ,house1 then go to college4 ,during the four years there would be plenty of time to arrange the rest4 ,in her case it would be teaching4 ,how comforting you are6 and there was both depth and sincerity in the tone4 ,doesn't ,mrs4 ,aldred advise you to go on8 ,helen asked4 ,oh1 yes4 ,and ,miss ,grace has been very encouraging4 ,but when ,i look at the rest of you girls and hear your bright talk1 ,i feel so out of place4 ,i have a belief that school is the help to enable us to find our right places in the world if we take it up earnestly4 ,i meant it shall help me to find mine1 confidently4 ,and ,i do think1 yes1 ,i am sure it will help you4 ,i was so discouraged4 ,i wrote to ,mrs4 ,howard and she said stay by all means4 ,indeed1 ,i have no place to go to4 ,mrs4 ,davis is in ,florida now4 ,oh1 ,i should like to travel6 and her face was roused almost to enthusiasm4 ,but you wouldn't want to be an ignorant traveler1 either4 ,and she thought how ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn enjoyed and understood4 ,she would have felt still more encouraged for her compeer1 had she known what ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was at nineteen4 ,they talked until it was dusk1 when the bell rang and arm in arm they went to the dining room4 ,miss ,grace was placing girls together in a more sociable fashion4 ,suppose you and ,miss ,beck come over here1 she said with a little wave of the hand to ,miss ,craven1 and giving a nod to ,miss ,beck4 ,and ,miss ,grant1 ,i think you are put down for the hostess next month4 ,suppose you begin now8 ,helen smiled and went to the head of the table4 ,miss ,craven took her seat next4 ,oh1 she murmured1 deprecatingly1 ,i hope it will never come my turn4 ,why1 it is not much to do1 only to see that everything comes right4 ,the girls talked of to-morrow4 ,miss ,beck was an ,episcopalian1 and described how prettily the little church was trimmed1 how beautiful the morning service had been1 and that most of it would be repeated4 ,in the evening some anthems were to be sung and ,phillips ,brooks' beautiful hymn1 ,oh1 ,little ,town of ,bethlehem4 ,and on ,monday at four a ,christmas tree for the children4 ,perhaps they would like to go8 ,miss ,craven's eyes kindled a little and she looked at ,helen1 as if she might answer for her4 ,we shall be very glad to1 was ,helen's ready reply4 ,the eyes thanked her timidly4 ,afterward they assembled in the drawing room and sang ,christmas hymns to the accompaniment of the grand piano4 ,two of the young ladies recited4 ,i don't believe ,i've ever had such a nice time in my life1 ,juliet ,craven said with her good-night4 ,you don't know how sincerely ,i thank you4 ,to be thanked for a little courtesy like that6 ,helen stood before the glass1 thinking4 ,i wonder1 she said to the reflection1 if you could have had that much courage with the rest of the girls about8 ,it was very easy to-day1 and it is what ought to be done oftener4 ,i wonder why they all took me up so cordially1 and why they should have surmised so many wrong things about her4 ,i dare say her father and mother were ordinarily nice people1 and ,i am glad there is nothing disgraceful about them4 ,there are quite a good many queer old people in the world--,i'm sure ,roxy tells things about her old great-aunt and laughs over them1 that do not sound kindly1 if they are amusing4 ,i wish old people always were agreeable1 and she sighed4 ,but young people are not either1 and she smiled with a revulsion of mood4 ,i am glad1 too1 that she isn't any older4 ,nineteen4 ,there are not more than a half dozen girls in the school as old as that4 ,what a pity one can't be turned back6 ,helen thought she had never enjoyed a ,sunday more4 ,most of the girls went with ,mrs4 ,aldred in the morning1 and ,mr4 ,danforth was certainly in a ,christmas frame of mind4 ,they had luncheon around the large table across the end of the dining room1 and afterward a talk of the ,jews and ,romans at the time of the coming of ,christ4 ,helen had never thought much of sacred and serious subjects1 but her heart seemed to expand and glow with a fervor she had hitherto known nothing about4 ,if education widened one's view1 should not religion do something for it also8 ,the evening service moved her still more deeply4 ,and she went to sleep with the music of four lives floating through her brain3 ,yet in thy dark street shineth ,the everlasting ,light1 ,the hopes and fears of all the years1 ,are met in thee to-night4 ,the children's ,christmas tree was another pleasure4 ,and when ,helen returned there was a box that had been sent across the water with some pretty laces and a fine neck-chain and charm4 ,it seemed to bring ,paris much nearer4 ,her letter1 too1 was very enjoyable4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was glad to have her feel at home and study with energy4 ,but she wanted her to go at ,french just as soon as she possibly could1 and pay close attention to it4 ,she1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 was going to start for ,southern ,france the beginning of the year and would have a restful time after the jaunting about4 ,helen must write freely of herself and the friends she was making1 as well as her progress in every study4 ,illustration3 ,when ,helen returned there was a box that had been sent across the water with some pretty laces1 and a fine neck-chain and charm4--,page #bgb4 ,the week was a pleasant one to those who stayed at school4 ,miss ,reid and ,miss ,bigelow both painted on snow scenes taken at different points4 ,miss ,reid's had a gray sky with one streak of light down in the southwest that gave the somber picture a really beautiful effect2 ,miss ,bigelow's was the sun shining through an opening in some trees and glistening on the frosted snow4 ,miss ,craven kept on with her lessons1 though she took several walks with ,helen4 ,westchester put on quite a holiday attire4 ,the ,literary ,society gave a reading from ,dickens' ,christmas ,stories1 and there was a church tea and sociable1 but no persuasion could induce ,miss ,craven to attend it1 though ,helen and a number of the girls accompanied ,miss ,aldred4 ,mrs4 ,aldred was much engrossed looking over reports1 and re-arranging classes1 designating the girls who were to go at the ,french table1 and making a few changes4 ,for it sometimes seemed as if all the real work began after ,christmas4 ,there will be a vacancy at your table1 she said to ,helen1 who had been consulting her on some studies4 ,i wonder if you have any choice as to who fills it8 ,who is going away8 the girls asked4 ,miss ,mays4 ,she should have gone in ,september1 but she begged off1 and ,mrs4 ,aldred gave a little smile4 ,if the others would have no objection to ,miss ,craven---- hesitatingly4 ,they would have no right to object1 gravely4 ,but would ,i have a right to make a selection for the others8 and a flush crept up to her forehead4 ,not a right1 in a pleasant tone4 ,i offer it as a privilege4 ,then ,i do think ,miss ,craven would like it4 ,we have been making friends1 smiling and yet perplexed a little1 desiring not to seem officious4 ,i hoped you would choose her1 for her own good4 ,yes1 ,i have been noticing the sort of intimacy1 the first preference she has evinced for anyone1 though ,i think you must have kindly made the overtures4 ,helen flushed brightly1 but did not emphasize her claim4 ,i have been much puzzled over the case4 ,my daughter ,grace and ,i have discussed it frequently1 and in some ways ,i have felt very much discouraged4 ,a friend besought me to take her1 explaining that she was a simple-hearted country girl1 who had had no advantages of education and was extremely anxious to be fitted for her position2 that she was afraid she had fallen into the wrong hands1 her guardian's wife being a rather pretentious woman of fashion4 ,miss ,craven is a somewhat curious compound of qualities1 and on several lines remarkably intelligent1 but clearly she does not make the best use of that quality4 ,mrs4 ,aldred had been watching the changes in ,helen's face as she talked1 wondering if this girl1 not yet fifteen1 could comprehend4 ,and now she paused as if expecting some comment4 ,she is so afraid of nearly everything1 everybody1 began ,helen4 ,and yet ,i think it took real courage to try school life---- and she paused1 glancing up with some hesitation4 ,that was the point that commended her to me4 ,mrs4 ,davis was opposed to it and suggested private teachers4 ,mrs4 ,howard thought she desired to keep the whole control and supervision of the girl1 and ,i1 too1 consider it a brave resolve on her part4 ,i was very much interested in ,mrs4 ,howard's account1 though ,i had in my mind the ordinary country girl whose education had been neglected4 ,and when she came ,i really was puzzled to know where to place her4 ,she could not affiliate with the girls of her age1 and it would be too mortifying to be put with those so much younger4 ,so there was nothing but for her to find her own level1 to choose or be chosen by some friendly disposed girl4 ,she will make an excellent scholar in time4 ,she is very modest4 ,i could wish she had not quite so much humility4 ,one would never suppose she was an heiress already1 having a much larger income than she can spend now1 and the certainty of being a rich woman five years hence4 ,but she has a great fear of being tolerated for the money's sake4 ,there are girls who would make it a strong point4 ,so it seems as if in this friendship matter ,i had to let her quite alone1 though ,i have thought of two or three girls who might take her up if they would4 ,i have learned1 however1 and she smiled a little1 that you cannot control these matters4 ,girls' likes and dislikes are largely impulses of the present mood1 and a belief in self-knowledge1 which they outgrow1 fortunately4 ,so ,i have been much pleased to see you two drift together4 ,did she tell you her story8 ,yes--at least she went briefly over it1 returned ,helen4 ,she has not a girl's usual gift of elaboration1 and that is a good quality to miss1 though years and experience do mend it4 ,it is unfortunate to begin life with the idea that you have had more trials or sorrows or struggles1 or even more joys and prosperity than anyone else4 ,her life has been hard1 but she has let it all drop behind her and wants to press on to the next best1 to something a great deal better2 and an approving light shone in the elder woman's eyes4 ,she has a decided gift for music1 for certain kinds of literature1 poetry especially1 though ,i do not think a casual observer would credit her with that4 ,she has some concise business ideas and works hard at mathematics4 ,perhaps the shrewdness is one good quality she inherits from her grandfather4 ,she is an excellent reader1 and it is fortunate that school training can direct these tastes rather than the gossip and novels of fashionable life4 ,although ,i was absolutely discouraged at first1 ,i feel now that after a year or two she will compare favorably with the average girl4 ,of course we are all fond of the superior girls who do credit to a school1 but they are not very lavishly distributed4 ,i am glad she is going to do so well1 and ,helen's face was bright with generous emotions4 ,only1 she keeps looking at girls of her age1 and is rather discouraged because she is so far behind4 ,and friendship1 contact with other girls1 is what she needs4 ,i sometimes think if girls could only understand all they might do for each other in the little things of life1 the comfort they might be in some sorrowful moment1 the strength in some weak moment1 they would hardly hold aloof in their best qualities and give out the trifles that are merely husks4 ,i meant this to be a different kind of talk1 and a sweet look pervaded the eyes and crossed the lips1 lingering there4 ,i wanted to thank you for your interest in her4 ,of all the girls ,i had considered as a friend to her ,i had not thought of you1 perhaps because you were so much younger4 ,she ought not be much over fourteen either4 ,and ,i must give you one word of--shall ,i call it counsel or advice8 studying the eager face4 ,do not allow yourself to be laughed out of what ,i believe will be a good work1 and do not get vexed or irritated because you cannot make others see ,miss ,craven with your eyes4 ,she has given you her confidence1 and withheld it from the others4 ,i wish you success in your new undertaking1 and ,i am much pleased with your industry4 ,and ,i am very happy1 returned ,helen with a glowing face and luminous eyes1 as she made a pretty inclination of the head4 ,mrs4 ,aldred fell into musing when she was gone4 ,if one knew just what ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn meant to do with the girl1 whether to educate her for some purpose1 or merely to have her fitted for an agreeable companion2 but it would seem a positive sin to tie such a mind to an old woman's whims and pleasures4 ,however1 here are the two years in which one may work4 ,on ,saturday the whole place was astir with the returning girls1 and the merry chatter pervaded every corner and room4 ,there were stories to tell of the perfectly lovely time one and another had had1 of the gifts and gayeties1 and rather wry faces over the changes4 ,and ,i have to go to the ,french table1 and ,i just know ,i shall starve1 moaned ,roxy ,mays4 ,there's ,miss ,law to keep me company1 but she declares she will talk straight ahead right or wrong4 ,and is it possible that you have that wooden head next to your elbow1 ,helen ,grant8 ,i would have protested4 ,i am here to obey the rules and usages of the school1 answered ,helen gravely4 ,are you going to call her grandmother or great-aunt1 or mother-in-law8 ,by her rightful name1 ,miss ,craven4 ,well1 ,i wish you joy of her4 ,it almost compensates me for having to ask in ,french for every mouthful ,i eat1 and inquire if the day is fair1 if the door is locked1 and if you have found the book of my friend4 ,she will not even venture upon that4 ,and what have you been doing the whole poky week8 ,it hasn't seemed a bit poky4 ,i have practiced scales and fingerings1 and gone into the early stages of ,french1 answered ,helen gayly4 ,aha6 ,well1 ,i've just put in all the fun ,i could4 ,two very young people's parties1 a grand concert1 and to a euchre club that was delightful with the most charming partner with whom ,i established telegraphic communication4 ,and just a lovely flirtation4 ,what do you think8 ,he asked if we might not correspond8 ,helen flushed1 remembering her innocent attempt4 ,oh1 you needn't look so indignant over it2 and ,i am pretty sure one of my sisters is engaged4 ,perhaps ,i won't need to stay at school more than next year4 ,i should be glad to stay five years1 cried ,helen enthusiastically4 ,daisy ,bell was on the other side of ,helen1 and she looked rather askance at the newcomer1 making the least cool little bow4 ,i've really wanted to get back to you1 she began when they had gone to their room4 ,they laughed at me at home1 and my brother said there must always be someone for a schoolgirl to adore1 and that he thought ,i would pass the dangerous period safely1 but that it had broken out with virulence1 and she laughed with light-hearted amusement4 ,did you care as much about me as all that8 and ,helen glanced out of tender eyes4 ,amend your tense1 or tack present and future to it4 ,i didn't know how much until ,i left you behind4 ,and you've had a horrid dull time1 ,i know1 with charming solicitude in her voice4 ,no1 it has been rather gay1 and the days flew by so rapidly4 ,oh1 they always do in vacation4 ,next week will be as long as any two4 ,i am glad we won't have any change this term1 and ,i do hope we will keep together next year4 ,helen1 ,i love you1 love you6 ,she clasped her arms about ,helen's neck and kissed her rapturously1 and the girl was deeply moved4 ,miss ,mays made a patronizing half-love1 you could not tell whether she was in earnest or not4 ,but this clasp was so endearing1 so full of fervor1 and these kisses seemed to have the first rare sweetness in them that had come into her life4 ,people had liked her she felt4 ,mrs4 ,dayton had been really affectionate1 but this was different4 ,oh1 ,daisy6 she sighed from her full heart4 ,you haven't positively loved any girl in school1 ,i know4 ,i think you are the kind of girl who doesn't love easily1 but after ,i liked you ,i was awfully afraid you would go down to ,roxy ,mays4 ,i ought to confess that ,i did last term4 ,she is fascinating1 but after a while you don't feel altogether sure of her4 ,you are so strong and upright4 ,and ,i don't want you to love anyone else quite as well2 promise me4 ,i am not likely to4 ,no one else will want me to1 ,i guess1 rather tremulously1 as another thought seemed to pierce through to her heart4 ,oh1 they will1 they will6 ,you're so young1 and you have something--,i can't tell what it is1 but you will find as you grow older people will lean on you and love you1 too4 ,i just want you to say--,daisy ,bell1 ,i love you the best of anybody ,i know4 ,i can say that easily1 but ,i don't know a great many people1 ,helen returned gravely4 ,and that ,i shall always love you the best of anybody4 ,oh1 ,daisy1 that is a sort of sacred thing to say4 ,how can anyone tell---- ,i don't mean lovers or husbands1 and you haven't any parents or sisters4 ,just here in the school--you will love me the best because ,i love you so4 ,that is the highest claim4 ,i will love you the best1 ,helen said almost solemnly4 ,then a strange awesome feeling thrilled through ,helen1 and she wondered if it was right to promise away one's freedom1 even in so simple a matter as loving a schoolmate4 ,oh1 you dear1 dear girl6 ,go to sleep and dream of me4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,and ,,thorns ,,sprang ,,up ,school work began in great earnest4 ,there was no loitering now4 ,the girls who went in the ,a grade would be seniors next year1 and the ,a grade of seniors would graduate4 ,helen took up ,french with a vim4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn spoke of it particularly in her letter1 and she had the right to order what ,helen should do4 ,the girl never thought of any mental protest4 ,then there were all the other classes4 ,a conscientious girl was kept pretty busy4 ,helen was in the sketching class1 ,daisy was painting and did it well4 ,miss ,craven began also1 and evinced a decided genius for it4 ,she was still quiet and reserved4 ,she made no especial demands upon ,helen1 but the younger girl found many little ways to assure her of an interest4 ,just a clasp of the hand1 a glance of the eye1 a smile1 and ,miss ,craven was comforted for hours4 ,she tried to draw her into general conversation at the table1 she said nice things to other girls about her and endeavored to interest them4 ,oh1 if ,miss ,craven only would come out of her shell and say some of the really bright things she did when they were alone6 ,it was hard work ,helen found2 a sort of weight at times affected her own spontaneity4 ,with all the study there was a good deal of fun1 sometimes almost fighting when arguments ran high1 or when one's favorite writer or poem or story was assailed4 ,some of the girls insisted that ,miss ,reid had the most genius for painting1 and others were on ,miss ,bigelow's side4 ,miss ,gertrude ,aldred would not be trapped into a decision1 though many a plot was laid for her4 ,helen thought now and then of ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,she did so want to write to him4 ,she could not1 at least she did not say to ,mrs4 ,dayton the many things she felt puzzled over1 that even ,mrs4 ,aldred could not have understood1 for ,mrs4 ,aldred had never seen her home and knew so little about her past life4 ,and1 oh1 the planning that went on1 the different pursuits that were discussed1 the aims and hopes1 yet it is true that most of them turned on marriage4 ,nearly every girl was confident that this would be her portion4 ,daisy ,bell owned ,helen now4 ,she was her chum1 her comrade4 ,they could not always be together1 of course1 and ,daisy was a great favorite with other girls4 ,indeed1 sometimes ,helen wondered why she should have chosen her so exclusively when there was a little world of adorers to pick from4 ,she could not have understood in her broad-minded nature that occasionally ,daisy longed to make her jealous by a show of fondness for someone else4 ,miss ,craven would not come to her room unless it was the afternoon of ,miss ,bell's music lessons4 ,she was one of ,mr4 ,griffin's pupils4 ,but ,i am alone here and you can come to me4 ,i am so glad to be alone4 ,i don't see how ,i could stand a girl about6 declared ,miss ,craven4 ,unless1 smiling a little1 which she did quite often now1 to ,helen1 unless it was you4 ,and ,i am not the most charming girl in the school1 ,helen replied in her eager1 wholehearted fashion4 ,if you only would let yourself be friendly with them4 ,i'm satisfied with you and ,miss ,aldred4 ,i like her very much1 and most1 ,i think1 because she is beyond twenty4 ,you see ,i am not young1 and that makes the difference4 ,miss ,reid will be nineteen in ,june1 about the time she graduates1 and several of the girls are nearly eighteen or over4 ,but they will have finished their education4 ,i have only just begun mine1 protestingly4 ,then there will be the more years to study1 with a bright joyous emphasis4 ,it's like a climb up a mountain1 perhaps the ,alps or the ,andes1 when you have to come back and try over the next day1 and a good many days1 only it grows easier all the time4 ,do you know what ,i heard one of the girls call me8 and ,miss ,craven flushed so deep a red it was almost brown4 ,helen flushed1 too1 but she asked nonchalantly1 ,what8 ,an old maid6 ,and she said she didn't know what ,i wanted to come to school for4 ,i would never know enough to teach4 ,do you suppose she would dare call ,miss ,aldred an old maid8 ,oh1 the girls do call each other that1 and they don't mean anything1 said ,helen lightly4 ,they were talking about me1 not to me4 ,it doesn't make me a day older1 ,i know1 but it keeps me from being friendly and at home1 don't you see8 ,my way is paid as well as theirs--it costs me more1 for ,i have private lessons4 ,i have as good right to the school as anybody1 whether ,i want to teach or not4 ,helen looked at her in amazement4 ,she had never seen so much spirit in her face4 ,if she could be roused1 not by anger merely1 but some potent power4 ,happiness and love might do it4 ,oh1 now ,i have offended you---- ,no1 you have not offended me at all4 ,you looked so spirited that ,i could not help admiring you4 ,it is a very mean thing for girls to make ill-natured comments on each other4 ,i wish they did not4 ,i do not see why they cannot pick out the nice things instead and say them over4 ,helen had made several protests about this matter4 ,she corrected the subject of ,miss ,craven's age with spirit4 ,you will never make me believe that1 ,miss ,mays had exclaimed with unnecessary vigor4 ,mrs4 ,aldred has the register1 ask her4 ,oh1 ,miss ,craven may have said that was her age4 ,and who knows anything about her8 ,she keeps to herself as if there was something not quite---- ending with a disagreeable emphasis4 ,girls1 began another1 we all know if there was anything wrong or discreditable she would not be here4 ,i do not call her an attractive girl1 but if we do not like her we can let her alone4 ,she lets us alone4 ,we can't say she has forced herself in our society4 ,a vote of thanks from one for speaking up for her1 said ,helen gayly4 ,and1 of course1 ,mrs4 ,aldred knows4 ,and ,miss ,grant1 the baby of the school1 has been taken into confidence4 ,pray do enlighten us4 ,did she come from ,india or the ,fiji ,islands1 where education is sadly neglected8 ,for all information on the subject1 ,i refer you to ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,helen was angry1 but she kept her temper4 ,the ridiculous side of it all occurred to her1 and another thought--,what if ,uncle ,jason should come striding into the hall when half the girls were standing around8 ,what would they say about her8 ,how could girls be so mean and ungenerous8 ,this had happened some days before the talk4 ,and now1 after a moment or two of silence1 ,helen said to ,miss ,craven1 ,there is a verse in ,proverbs1 ,i think ,i heard it read in church one ,sunday1 ',he that would have friends must show himself friendly4' ,i don't want any friend but you4 ,there was a great tremble in ,miss ,craven's voice and she began to cry4 ,and you will not let me advise you about the little things that make so much difference with girls4 ,how did she know8 ,helen flushed at her own assumption1 and yet she did understand4 ,she pitied ,juliet ,craven profoundly1 too4 ,oh1 don't cry4 ,can't ,i comfort you with some word8 ,see here1 ,i really love you4 ,you are so brave1 so persevering1 you have had such a hard1 lonely life1 and ,i would like to make it brighter4 ,oh1 ,helen6 ,oh1 ,miss ,grant4 ,no2 keep to the ,helen1 the younger girl interrupted4 ,to have you love me6 ,but ,i might have known so much care and kindness could only spring from love4 ,oh1 ,i think ,i shall not mind the other girls now4 ,i've been longing so for real love4 ,are you quite sure8 ,it seems too good when ,i have been making myself content with a simple liking4 ,she pressed ,helen's hands to her hot cheeks1 wet with tears4 ,helen kissed her on the forehead1 but the elder drew her face down and returned the kiss many times4 ,the dinner bell will ring in a few moments1 ,helen declared presently1 and we must both make ourselves fit to be seen1 not of men1 but between thirty and forty feminines4 ,i wish your gowns were not quite so grave1 but spring is on the way and we will take to light raiment and look like a flock of birds4 ,good-by for five minutes1 and she flashed away4 ,daisy had a blue ribbon tied in her hair and a pretty chiffon neckgear1 and was really an attractive girl4 ,why didn't you stay all night with that woman of grays and browns and general dismalness1 and lose your dinner6 ,there1 you have almost4 ,if she had any beauty or charm about her ,i should be jealous1 for you belong to me1 you know4 ,helen slipped into a light shirtwaist and was ready in a trice4 ,miss ,craven did not come down4 ,when the maid went to inquire1 she said she had a headache1 and wanted only a cup of tea4 ,there was the bit of social life1 the study period1 and ,helen seemed so discomposed that she used up every moment of it until they were dismissed4 ,daisy put her arm about ,helen1 another girl took the other side1 and three or four of them came into the room4 ,how they stayed6 ,helen summoned courage presently4 ,excuse me a moment1 and she flashed out of the room1 tapping at ,miss ,craven's door4 ,it was open just an inch or two4 ,i came to ask about your headache and say good-night1 in a low tone4 ,oh1 you dear1 sweet friend6 ,it did ache1 but ,i think it was a kind of joy throbbing4 ,i didn't want any dinner though4 ,i just laid here and thought--happy thoughts4 ,the half-past nine bell pealed and everyone ran to her own room4 ,daisy stood in the middle of the floor upbraidingly1 if one's attitude can express so much4 ,i believe that girl has cast an evil eye on you1 she began when ,helen kept silence1 busying herself with preparations4 ,there are evil charms as well as delightful ones1 and spells that wile away love4 ,and you have promised not to love anyone but me4 ,have ,i8 ,helen's voice was unsteady4 ,yes1 you have1 and you think promises ought to be kept faithfully4 ,you must keep yours4 ,i said ,i wouldn't love any other girl1 and ,i haven't4 ,i've seen her look at you with a strange light in her eyes1 and they are horrid eyes---- ,don't let us talk about ,miss ,craven1 but read our verses and say our prayers1 and now ,helen's voice had decision enough in it4 ,you are changing every day1 ,i can see it1 complained ,daisy4 ,then let us pray that ,i may get back to the point1 with grave peremptoriness4 ,daisy was a little awed at this solemn way of taking it up1 and acquiesced4 ,helen lay and wondered at herself4 ,had she made ,daisy such a sweeping promise8 ,and how easy it had been to say those few words to ,miss ,craven4 ,what joy it had given her4 ,she did not love ,daisy ,bell any less--how many people could you love8 ,must one true affection shut out the others8 ,she did really love ,daisy ,bell4 ,she had a rather petite figure and face2 the face fair and full of soft curves changing with every emotion1 and a rose tint that came and went1 that seemed playing hide and seek with two seductive dimples1 one in her chin1 the other in her cheek4 ,her hair was a light brown that had a tint of gold1 and her eyes were a soft dark brown that could look at you with the utmost pathos or deepen with fun and fire1 and her rose-red lips had a dewy1 tremulous fashion of shaping themselves to any mood4 ,another charm for ,helen was her love of order and neatness1 without being at all fussy1 her wonderful blending of colors1 the little touches that gave an air to the plainest surroundings4 ,then she was generally helpful4 ,helen had been indebted to her for many small aids along the difficult paths of learning that were quite unknown in ,hope ,center4 ,daisy had made the first advances4 ,she was more experienced in school ways1 older1 richer1 and a favorite with the class4 ,helen felt honored by her preference4 ,if she had been less lovable it might have savored of patronage and that ,helen would have declined4 ,it sometimes seemed as if she was the stronger1 the leading spirit1 as in some respects ,daisy yielded unhesitatingly to her4 ,it was ,helen's first girl friendship1 and it possessed something of the marvel to her that ,mrs4 ,dayton's kindliness had1 since neither were in anywise compelled to take her up4 ,but why had she ever promised to love ,daisy only8 ,and did she really love ,juliet ,craven8 ,this night was the first time ,miss ,craven had ever used her ,christian name4 ,she would hardly dream of being intimate with any of the young ladies in the senior class1 though several of them were very cordial and she had been asked to sing for them and with them4 ,helen made a funny distinction about this1 it was due to her voice and not her personality4 ,she was too wholesome to feel aggrieved about such a thing and she had very little vanity4 ,being brought up by ,aunt ,jane would have taken the vanity out of any girl4 ,but there did not seem so much difference between her age and ,miss ,craven's as the years confessed4 ,helen knew a great deal more about the real world4 ,she was likely to make a good logician4 ,her short experience at ,mrs4 ,dayton's had given her the key to the larger world4 ,those women with their different qualities were reproduced here in the school1 here in ,westchester1 and were no doubt repeated elsewhere4 ,but ,miss ,craven knew nothing and was afraid to judge1 to have decided opinions1 to compare one with another4 ,her solitary life had taken her into the very heart of nature1 of a certain kind of dreaming1 and longing for knowledge1 but that was widely different from the every day knowledge of general living4 ,helen had not been lonely1 her mind was too active1 and there had always been people about her4 ,she wanted her knowledge to enable her to go out in the world and conquer it2 girls of fourteen and older do have such dreams4 ,miss ,craven wanted hers largely for herself alone4 ,helen had pitied her1 been very sympathetic1 assisted her over rough places1 and really advised4 ,was not this some of the work preached about on ,sunday in the churches1 helping the weaker brethren8 ,she had hardly thought of religion up to this period of her life as having any duties in a practical sense1 but ,mrs4 ,aldred gave the school that tone1 and ,miss ,grace was interested in the broader ,christian life1 not merely church-going4 ,so ,miss ,craven1 curiously enough1 had looked like a duty to ,helen4 ,she and ,daisy did their brief reading every night1 but since ,christmas so many verses had pointed to the weaker brother4 ,the stronger1 wiser girls in school did not want anything of her1 at least she thought she had nothing to give them1 since they did not ask1 and the word was everyone that asketh4 ,miss ,craven had asked by a glance of the eye1 a pressure of the hand1 a quiver of the wordless lips that hesitated to frame the desire into speech4 ,yes1 she did love her if charity and kindliness were love1 and--oh1 there was something deeper1 wider1 higher4 ,she had not settled the question when she fell asleep1 rather late for her and so she did not wake until ,daisy touched her4 ,daisy ,bell had half a mind to let her oversleep and lose a mark1 then she really did love her too well4 ,oh1 dear6 sighed ,helen ruefully4 ,and ,i wanted to finish my ,latin translation this morning4 ,there could be no thought of anything but hurrying downstairs4 ,miss ,craven was in her place and glanced up with a certain eagerness in her eyes4 ,all through breakfast time ,daisy made herself uncomfortable1 watching4 ,so you have a rival in your sweetheart's affections1 ,miss ,mays whispered mischievously1 linking her arm in that of ,daisy's as they sauntered through the hall4 ,the glances are something wonderful1 beseeching4 ,if the eyes hadn't that dull1 leady look they might prove dangerous in years to come1 but ,i doubt if young men will be drawn near enough to experience their fascination4 ,but she gains a little every day1 and you will soon lose your ,helen of ,troy4 ,helen of ,troy is a free agent4 ,she can make friends wherever she will1 was the rather curt answer4 ,but 'life is thorny and love is vain1' quoted ,roxy4 ,i do wonder at ,helen ,grant's taste4 ,there were lessons and exercises and ,helen found her mind wandering1 having to bring it back by sharp turns4 ,daisy was very distant4 ,oh1 how foolish girls can be6 ,helen thought4 ,when they went in to luncheon a surprise greeted most of the girls4 ,helen ,grant saw the vacant seat beside her4 ,one of the girls opposite touched elbows with the other and both glanced at the end of the room4 ,helen let her eyes wander down leisurely4 ,next to ,mrs4 ,aldred sat a stranger1 next to her ,miss ,craven1 more timid than ever4 ,the stranger was elegant and airy4 ,her cloth gown was of the newest shade of green1 the small bolero covered with iridescent embroidery1 the satin bosom a few shades lighter1 sown here and there with beads in colors that sparkled like gems4 ,a very pretty1 stylish-looking woman of five and thirty perhaps4 ,she wore two magnificent diamond rings and a small star at her throat4 ,the most critical taste could not pronounce her loud4 ,helen thought rapidly4 ,was that ,mrs4 ,howard8 ,she felt rather disappointed4 ,everybody went on with the luncheon and when it was through1 ,mrs4 ,aldred1 the guest1 and ,miss ,bigelow retired to the drawing room4 ,what did it all mean8 ,they heard presently4 ,the lady was ,mrs4 ,davis1 the wife of ,miss ,craven's guardian4 ,just as ,morris had answered the door1 ,miss ,bigelow crossed the hall and recognized a lady she had seen a good deal of in the summer4 ,why this is delightful to meet a familiar face1 declared the stranger4 ,is this where you are at school8 ,we have a protge here1 at least ,mr4 ,davis is guardian and trustee of a young woman and no end of money1 ,miss ,craven1 do you know her8 ,morris was trying to usher the guest into the reception room4 ,yes1 she is here1 and ,miss ,bigelow did the honors2 begged ,mrs4 ,davis to be seated4 ,morris came back with the word that ,mrs4 ,aldred would be at liberty in a few moments4 ,do tell me what kind of a school it is8 ,the girl's grandfather died2 he was a queer old fellow1 and the business was in a sort of muddle1 but1 as ,i said1 there is no end of money4 ,i wanted her to go to a convent2 ,i was good enough to take her in and see what could be done in the way of polishing1 for you see she must go in society4 ,she didn't take kindly to the ,roman ,catholic aspect1 but you know they never interfere with anyone's religion4 ,i had a friend come to stay with me while ,i was giving a house party1 a ,mrs4 ,howard1 who took a fancy to her2 she had scarcely been out of the woods1 though ,i found she had come of a very good family--,revolutionary people and a great-uncle1 a judge in ,maryland1 and several men of note4 ,the ,baltimore relatives are among some of the best in society4 ,if there had been no family back of her ,i really couldn't have undertaken her4 ,mrs4 ,howard knew of this school2 ,i think she had a niece educated here4 ,so she wrote1 and the matter somehow settled itself4 ,i was engaged for ,lenox1 and two or three house parties1 and ,washington1 ,charleston1 and ,florida4 ,i do seem to keep on the go most of the time4 ,and this is really the first opportunity ,i have had to look after her1 though ,i knew ,i could trust ,mrs4 ,howard4 ,miss ,craven is in excellent hands here4 ,of course ,i am among the ,seniors and graduate in ,june1 and am very busy1 so ,i see but little of the ,juniors4 ,why1 it is quite college-like4 ,mrs4 ,davis had taken in a fresh supply of breath4 ,her voice was soft and well trained1 though she rather swept along as she talked4 ,girls are prepared for college1 or for any position in life1 ,miss ,bigelow replied with a smile4 ,that is what ,mrs4 ,howard said4 ,i can't understand how the grandfather could become such a queer old hermit when the family was an excellent one4 ,it might have been the loss of his son1 this girl's father4 ,mr4 ,davis thinks he was a man of education and shrewd about business4 ,he had to go over all the papers1 you know1 and there were marriage certificates1 his parents and his own1 and various family affairs4 ,i was glad for her sake that everything was right4 ,a family stigma always keeps cropping up4 ,mrs4 ,aldred entered at this juncture1 and ,miss ,bigelow left the two ladies to their conference4 ,mrs4 ,davis went over the ground again1 more at length1 and stated her wishes definitely4 ,she wanted ,miss ,craven trained to make a good impression on society1 accomplished if she could be4 ,she has a great talent for music and will make a fine player4 ,it is a pity she could not have begun her general education sooner1 replied ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,it will take time to reach any standard4 ,oh1 a thousand pities4 ,but it doesn't seem really necessary for her to go into the abstruse subjects1 for every year counts4 ,it is an excellent thing that girls do not marry as young as they used to4 ,i was married before ,i was quite eighteen1 but ,i had been three years at a first-class boarding school4 ,she will be twenty in the summer4 ,she certainly can finish in another year8 tentatively4 ,she can do a good deal1 but hardly that4 ,this year it will be principally ground-work4 ,she has had private lessons1 and she does love study1 is eager to learn4 ,next year she will go into regular classes and get accustomed to girls4 ,she is painfully shy4 ,i hope you can give her some style4 ,after all1 money does make amends for a great deal1 and ,i have known some really ignorant girls to marry well1 but now everyone who makes a bow to society is expected to have some training1 and get the air of nouveaux riches rubbed off4 ,that is detestable4 ,i do not think that will be one of her faults2 and ,mrs4 ,aldred smiled a little1 wondering how long it had been since ,mrs4 ,davis had cast comparative poverty behind her4 ,french and all that she can pick up abroad4 ,i should like her to know some ,italian songs4 ,i wish ,i could take her next year4 ,you hardly consider it possible8 ,oh1 no4 ,i should certainly wait4 ,she has improved4 ,i will send for her4 ,and as it will soon be luncheon time may ,i not have the pleasure of making you a guest8 ,you will see our school in every-day trim1 and meet some of our teachers4 ,we have also a day school for larger girls4 ,mrs4 ,davis accepted graciously4 ,miss ,craven was summoned1 and entered with self-possession4 ,the girl had been very happy all the morning4 ,the consciousness that someone loved her1 albeit a girl so much younger1 had been like red wine to her blood1 and kept her pulses throbbing1 given her eyes a subtle glow4 ,the bluish tint should never have been in such eyes1 golden or the translucent green that sometimes sets hazel eyes ashine would have made a great change in her face4 ,but they had lightened up curiously1 and her cheeks rounded out1 her complexion cleared up since she was no longer exposed to sun and wind1 and had a more hygienic training4 ,she had tied a pink ribbon around her neck4 ,helen ,grant liked it so much4 ,altogether1 she looked improved from last summer4 ,and she certainly had learned to smile4 ,her teeth were white1 even1 and pretty4 ,she was very much surprised1 and could not dismiss her distrust of ,mrs4 ,davis at once4 ,indeed1 what reason had she for distrusting her8 ,mrs4 ,aldred led the conversation until the girl's first embarrassment was over1 and then gracefully withdrew to plan for a change at the table4 ,soon after luncheon ,mrs4 ,davis took her leave1 quite convinced that ,mrs4 ,aldred would do as well for her husband's ward as anyone4 ,she would have liked the prestige of the convent better4 ,by dinner time most of the girls knew that ,miss ,juliet ,craven was really an heiress1 and that her guardian was the great banker and lawyer as well1 and who was occasionally called upon to disentangle some very intricate points1 ,mr4 ,james ,elliot ,davis4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,,betwixt ,,two ,and you knew it all the time6 ,daisy ,bell cried indignantly4 ,she sat curled up on her bed1 her soft1 pretty hair let down about her shoulders1 her arms folded across her chest as if she would shut out any pleading tone from her heart1 if indeed it was her heart whose racing pulsation could decide for her1 and keep or banish a guest4 ,not all the time1 corrected ,helen4 ,she told me a little of her story1 told it briefly1 ,i mean1 and left me to infer the rest2 explained why she wanted an education1 and the almost accident of her coming here4 ,she seemed so lonely at ,christmas-tide when so many of you were away in happy homes1 having delightful times with plenty of love and joy and good cheer4 ,well1 ,i felt rather lonely as well4 ,and then ,i came back to you with a heart full of love1 and she had crept in4 ,why didn't you tell me---- ,daisy's voice trembled and she loosened one hand to wipe her eyes4 ,helen was much moved4 ,there really was nothing to tell4 ,we had made no vows1 exchanged no promises1 broken no rings1 with a scornful little laugh4 ,i set her straight on two or three points1 ,i scolded her a little1 yes1 ,i just did1 and ,i wanted her to mix with1 and be more like other girls4 ,i don't believe you1 with joyous homes and brothers and sisters1 can understand the lonely life she has led4 ,as you can1 with a touch of girlish sarcasm4 ,yes1 as ,i can4 ,i have a kindly uncle and aunt1 who have cared for me since father died1 and a lot of cousins growing up into commonplace men and women4 ,there are dozens of tender ties1 but no real sympathy with my desires4 ,aunt thought ,i knew quite enough1 and so ,i would for some lives4 ,the longing and desire for other things1 better things1 helps me to understand her4 ,but it was only a week or ten days ago--some strictures of the girls made her very unhappy---- ,she shouldn't have listened4 ,the old adage is a good one1 with a scornful laugh4 ,she could not help it4 ,i think some of the girls have not treated her kindly1 they have even been rude4 ,and it was mean to try to set her age so much farther on1 and to call her an old maid4 ,she doesn't look young4 ,she will have a guardian for almost two years longer4 ,i suppose in law you have to give your exact age4 ,some of the people ,i love best are very far from young4 ,i suppose you love a great many6 with an emphasis as bitter as her tender voice could make4 ,she could put anger in it1 but bitterness never could be part and parcel of it4 ,i love a few4 ,i am not very rich in friends4 ,but ,i know ,i am capable of loving a good many people for different qualities4 ,helen stood up very straight4 ,she was growing tall rapidly4 ,there was firmness and character in every line of her face1 and in her tone as well4 ,i don't care for the thousandth part of anyone's love4 ,and you said you would love me the best of anybody---- ,and so ,i did and do when you are not--foolish1 she was going to say1 but she paused4 ,oh1 ,daisy1 can't you see it is the individuality1 the qualities in a person that you love4 ,and no two are alike4 ,you are very dear and sweet4 ,but ,i dare say you loved girls last year when ,i was not here1 and when ,i am gone you will love someone else4 ,i don't ask you to love me best of all1 for there are1 no doubt1 more charming girls and ,miss ,craven did not demand that of me4 ,it was because she seemed so glad of a little crumb1 and ,i knew no one loved her---- ,helen's voice had a break in it4 ,she went on taking down her hair1 putting away her necktie and handkerchief1 then hung her skirt in the wardrobe4 ,would she ask ,daisy to read with her8 ,let not the sun go down upon your wrath4 ,but she wasn't even angry1 only indignant at what looked to her like injustice4 ,daisy1 she began presently1 if someone told you a story1 incidents out of her life that you knew were given in a burst of confidence1 under the impression that you would not repeat it1 should you feel duty bound to rehearse it to your friend4 ,i did not promise1 but ,i felt it was her business4 ,mrs4 ,aldred knew it2 ,miss ,grace1 too1 ,i dare say1 but they did not explain it to the school4 ,it was nothing disgraceful4 ,and the girls surmised--why1 ,i think it would have been better explained1 and ,daisy roused up a little4 ,what right had any girl to surmise8 ,it was admitted that ,mrs4 ,aldred would not have taken in anyone with dishonorable antecedents4 ,and if my father had been a criminal of any sort1 could ,i have helped it8 ,but ,mrs4 ,aldred knew there was nothing except a neglected girlhood which she has been trying in the kindliest manner to remedy4 ,when a girl surmised anything1 she was willing to give color to what she did not know was true4 ,it seems to me that is very near a falsehood4 ,daisy had heard more sneers than ,helen4 ,her face burned with a pained consciousness4 ,she really felt ashamed that she should have half believed the positive untruths4 ,gossip and ill-nature without any foundation--how despicable it looked4 ,how could they have been amused over it8 ,i don't see why she shouldn't have been willing to let us all know she was so rich1 ,daisy said in a sort of extenuation for the girls4 ,i think it was because she wanted to do her hardest work unnoticed1 for one thing1 and she doesn't seem at all proud of the money though it is honorably obtained4 ,she is very timid because she realizes her own deficiencies4 ,i can't help feeling things would have been better with her if that ,mrs4 ,howard had been her guardian's wife4 ,think1 she's nineteen years old and no one has ever given her a bit of love1 until---- ,the great clock in the hall rolled out ten in its ponderous tones4 ,oh1 good gracious6 ,daisy jumped lightly from her bed4 ,helen put out the light and went on with her undressing4 ,there could be no reading4 ,she did not say a word1 but knelt down presently4 ,it was hard to know just what was right and best4 ,she had a feeling that she ought to go over to ,daisy1 since she had given the offense--it was not an offense on her part--but she could say1 ,i am sorry we quarreled when we meant to be such dear friends4 ,she repeated ,our ,father1 who art in heaven1 and then she remembered the man who prayed for wisdom1 and who chose wisdom4 ,two soft arms were around her neck and a tear-wet cheek was pressed against hers4 ,i've been a horrid1 miserable1 selfish little wretch6 ,i do wonder if you can ever love me any more8 ,but ,i want you too1 even if you must love her some4 ,i'm sorry---- ,helen kissed her a dozen times4 ,you little darling1 ,i love you a hundred times better than before1 if such a thing were possible4 ,and ,i'm glad not to have any break4 ,run to bed1 little midget1 or we shall have to confess to talking out of time4 ,then they said good-night again1 and so the first difference was made up1 but ,daisy's jealous heart was not quite comforted4 ,there was a difference in the demeanor of most of the girls toward ,miss ,craven1 though few would have admitted the money had anything to do with it4 ,miss ,bigelow simply repeated ,mrs4 ,davis's remark1 that the girl would be very rich4 ,no one could say that she was loud or presuming1 or that her retiring manner was an evidence of pride4 ,she went her way as quietly as before4 ,she acknowledged all the little politenesses in a shy sort of way1 but she was hard to get on with4 ,she would only talk in monosyllables1 except to ,helen ,grant4 ,she has the key to unlock her tongue1 ,miss ,mays said4 ,helen is the sort of girl who will always be looking for fresh fields and pastures new4 ,i like her immensely1 but ,i couldn't help feeling as if ,i was only one of the many to her4 ,such little speeches with the utmost apparent good nature fell heavily on ,daisy ,bell's heart4 ,there were many things to attend to beside school-girl differences1 which were always happening among pupils4 ,easter was late1 and then every day counted to those who expected promotion as well as the graduates4 ,still there were some splendid rambles over on the other side of the river1 some rowing parties1 delightful lessons in out-of-door botany1 and1 oh1 the plans for summer6 ,there would be eight graduates among the boarders1 seven from the day scholars4 ,miss ,reid was going abroad for a year at painting1 ,miss ,downs to study music at ,leipsic1 ,miss ,bigelow to enter an art school in ,new ,york1 three to go to college1 one to be married4 ,most of the ,senior ,b would step into the ,a division1 and every class would be pushed up4 ,helen could have gone in the higher division at ,easter4 ,she had studied not only with a will1 but an eager interest in so many things that she wondered how girls could dawdle along4 ,still1 if they had no aim1 if it was merely to get through these intervening years1 looking forward to pleasure1 society1 and marriage1 perhaps it might be sufficient4 ,her future was rather doubtful1 even to herself4 ,there were suggestions about the more weighty studies from ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 as if ,helen would hardly need them4 ,but she did it because she liked them4 ,she wanted to go to the foundation1 to know on just what her structure stood1 there was nothing negative about her4 ,one day ,miss ,grace said3 ,miss ,grant1 you would make a most excellent teacher4 ,you are so direct and so simple1 you waste no time1 and you evince so much interest in the branches you like4 ,i see your influence on two pupils1 ,miss ,bell1 who is a sweet1 bright girl1 but not in love with study1 and mother and ,i feel really indebted to you for your interest in ,miss ,craven4 ,when she can once venture out of her shell with the consciousness that she is not so different from the others1 the ,rubicon will be passed4 ,i do believe she will do it4 ,i am counting a good deal on next year4 ,i am glad if ,i help ever so little1 returned ,helen with shining eyes1 as a soft color transfused her fair face4 ,and since one and another has been very good to me1 ,i ought to pass the kindness on to someone else4 ',freely ye have received1 freely give4' ,i am glad that purpose has taken root4 ,there are so many things we can give that only cost us a little trouble1 and do more good than the bestowal of money4 ,it is one of the greatest lessons of life4 ,miss ,aldred smiled upon her pupil1 and a warm glow sped through ,helen's frame4 ,then ,i have my mind quite set upon teaching some day4 ,perhaps ,i take that from my father1 who was a teacher4 ,i saw so little of him1 but this year ,i've wondered a good deal what he really was like1 and if we should not have been splendid friends on these lines4 ,i believe he was disappointed about my not being a boy1 and it's funny--with a bright merry laugh4 ,i've never wanted to be a boy at all4 ,i think girls are nicer4 ,the loveliest being to me is a fine1 broad1 sweet-minded1 cultured woman1 and ,i am very glad she is beginning to be thought of as the ideal woman4 ,you have many years before you reach real womanhood1 which comes later and is richer than it was twenty years ago4 ,but you are taking some excellent steps along the way4 ,oh1 thank you for the praise1 said ,helen pressing her hand4 ,if the steps were not in ,latin and ,french she could go bounding along1 she thought4 ,in that respect she did not inherit her father's facility nor his love for the abstruse and difficult4 ,i suppose ,i am superficial1 she said to herself ruefully4 ,but why shouldn't one delight in the things one loves best8 ,that was one charm about ,miss ,craven to her4 ,she reveled in poetry4 ,the other girls were full of nonsense chatter in the spare half hours1 but they two often slipped away under some tree and read and discussed4 ,there was a fund of romance in each one1 though temperament and surroundings had been so different1 the one so afraid to express her inmost thought1 the other so fearless1 not even minding being laughed at4 ,every day seemed more crowded with all things4 ,i'm glad ,i don't have to think about a graduation gown1 or any gown1 laughed ,helen4 ,my clothes come ready-made1 and all ,i have to do is to put them on4 ,but wouldn't you like to choose sometimes8 asked one of the girls4 ,i shall choose my graduation gown and my wedding gown4 ,oh1 no you won't4 ,graduation gowns have to be pretty much alike1 and wedding gowns must be in the prevailing fashion4 ,in fact1 ,i think there is very little you do choose in this life4 ,there's someone just in front always who lays down the law1 and though you may think you will get your own way you find oftener it is the way of someone else4 ,if ,i had my way ,i wouldn't come back to school4 ,if ,i had my way ,i would come back to school ten years1 exclaimed ,helen4 ,you are enough to tire anyone to death with your everlasting study plans4 ,thank heaven for vacation1 say ,i4 ,there were some plans1 indeed a great deal of planning about that4 ,each girl had a different desire4 ,helen had written her monthly letter regularly4 ,sometimes she had nice chatty replies from ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn2 at others1 ,miss ,gage had written4 ,they had been spending a month at ,paris1 now they were going to ,london1 and then to some country houses4 ,and early in ,june came a letter disposing of ,helen's summer4 ,she would return to ,hope and spend the time between ,mrs4 ,dayton and her uncle4 ,we do not know what may happen another year1 she wrote2 and you are too young to be going about anywhere else4 ,of course that was what she had expected to do1 would be glad to do4 ,she did want to see all her old friends again4 ,uncle ,jason's letters had been rather queer and formal1 ,jenny had written twice all about herself and ,joe4 ,daisy came in bright and smiling4 ,she1 too1 had a letter4 ,i've been telling mamma such lots about you1 and ,i asked her to let me invite you to spend a fortnight with me1 and here it is4 ,just listen4 ,a very delightful invitation to be sure4 ,helen's heart beat high for a moment4 ,well--are you struck speechless8 a gay light dancing in her eyes4 ,you are very good1 just lovely1 but ,i do not know as ,i can accept1 ,i am to go home---- ,only two weeks out of nine6 ,surely you can spare that6 ,helen considered4 ,i will consult ,mrs4 ,aldred before ,i decide1 with gentle gravity4 ,i really do not see what she has to do with it4 ,your aunt and uncle would be the ones to decide4 ,don't you want to do it--to see what sort of a home ,i have8 ,it would be just a splendid time4 ,mamma is half in love with you4 ,i am almost jealous again4 ,oh1 ,i can't think of anything more delightful1 ,helen cried eagerly1 and ,daisy did not need to doubt the pleasure illumining her face4 ,but ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn has planned---- ,oh1 write to her and tell her how much you want to come1 beseechingly4 ,there would hardly be time4 ,it would be nicer to take you home with me1 but you could come afterward4 ,why yes4 ,however1 ,i will see what ,mrs4 ,aldred thinks4 ,oh1 go at once4 ,i want to write back1 exclaimed ,daisy impatiently4 ,mrs4 ,aldred looked up from the pile of reports on her table1 and said in a pleasantly inquiring tone1 ,well8 then listened1 but there was a tint of perplexity in her face4 ,i had a note from ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn by the last steamer also4 ,she seems very well satisfied with your progress1 only she is rather exigent about the ,french1 and ,i wish you would do all you can at it during vacation4 ,but she is very explicit about the summer4 ,i think she prefers that you should spend it in ,hope4 ,she had been rather more than explicit1 and said she did not approve of such young girls visiting about4 ,mr4 ,castles would send a trusty person for ,helen and see her safely on the train for ,hope4 ,do you not think ,i might write to her about it for a visit later on8 ,yes1 you could4 ,but ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn is certain of her own wishes in any matter1 and generally has good reasons4 ,i do not imagine a visit like this would do you any harm1 but you are young1 and ,i do suppose you owe your own people some respect4 ,i think ,i should accept the fiat4 ,helen felt bitterly disappointed4 ,she did not dream her girlish enthusiasm about ,daisy ,bell had been one of the factors in this command1 as it really was1 that ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn did not want any girl to gain a strong influence over ,helen1 but she need not have felt suspicious1 as the influence was all the other way4 ,it had come like a sudden vision1 and now it was quenched in bitter regret1 with the unappeased want back of it4 ,i do object to indiscriminate visiting for such young girls4 ,if ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn were here and could see just the kind of girl ,miss ,daisy is1 it would be different1 but ,i suppose1 if she thought at all1 it was about the generality of girls1 who sometimes are quite lawless in their own homes4 ,since you have accepted her direction for the next two years1 it is best to do it cheerfully1 advised ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,yes1 ,i do owe her that much1 returned ,helen in a convinced tone1 if the disappointment had not all gone out of it4 ,then ,daisy and she had an unpleasant disagreement about it1 and ,helen felt sorrier than ever4 ,juliet ,craven's happening was a comforting one for her4 ,mrs4 ,davis had gone abroad with a clear conscience4 ,her friend1 ,mrs4 ,howard1 was to look after the ward who was neither woman or child4 ,then came the rush of examinations1 the excitement to know who had passed1 and what the marks were1 and the graduation exercises which began at three in the afternoon and were to end with a lawn party in the moonlight4 ,some of the pupils were secretly mortified at not attaining a higher rate1 a few really did not care1 and they were not sufficiently above the ordinary to make a mark anywhere4 ,some others were a credit to the training and culture of ,aldred ,house1 and went their way with a grateful remembrance of their teacher friend and her admirable daughter4 ,helen had a part in the singing1 there was some excellent playing1 recitations1 and essays4 ,the house was crowded1 it was one of the summer events at ,westchester4 ,there were congratulations and good wishes1 and an evening of unbounded delight1 as many of the young people were invited1 and for this evening the youthful masculines1 among them a number of law students1 were welcomed4 ,was it only a year ago ,helen ,grant had recited ,herv ,riel in the old schoolhouse at ,hope ,center8 ,oh1 how many things had happened since then4 ,why1 it was like a fairy story4 ,she could hardly believe it herself4 ,she recited it again out on a corner of the lawn1 and before she was half through her audience had doubled1 and listened with flattering attention4 ,the young son of ,mr4 ,danforth1 just home from college1 was standing near4 ,that's enough to inspire one1 he said4 ,i shall take one line back with me and recall the very ring of your voice3 ,sirs1 believe me1 there's a way4' ,helen flushed with pleasure4 ,she had not given up her old hero1 though there had been new candidates for her favor4 ,then followed the partings the next morning4 ,some would be for life perhaps4 ,every graduate counted on coming back to ,aldred ,house some day1 but there were many chances and changes and more than one was never to see it again1 only hold its happy times in remembrance4 ,i am glad we are to keep together next year1 exclaimed ,daisy ,bell4 ,and ,i do think ,i shall be a better student4 ,the year following we shall graduate together4 ,and all the rest of our lives ,i hope we shall be friends1 even if we do have tiffs now and then4 ,juliet ,craven asked rather timidly if she might write to ,helen4 ,oh1 ,i should be disappointed if you did not4 ,i count on it as one of my pleasures1 ,helen returned warmly4 ,there were other promises1 several of them not kept4 ,and by twos and threes the group dwindled until at dinner all the remainder were invited to the table of state as guests4 ,the next morning a thin1 rather somber-looking man came with a note from ,mr4 ,castles4 ,helen's eyes were swimming in tears as she said good-by to ,mrs4 ,aldred and ,miss ,grace4 ,it was an uneventful journey until they reached ,new ,york4 ,they stopped at ,mr4 ,castles' office1 and he questioned ,helen about her past year1 took her out to lunch1 and then put her aboard her own train with several papers and a magazine1 and wished her a pleasant journey4 ,and pleasant it was1 though she had a seat to herself4 ,she could not read1 hardly look at the tempting array of pictures1 there were so many thoughts crowding in and through her mind4 ,she had been very happy4 ,schooldays were delightful4 ,she wanted years and years of them4 ,some ten miles before they reached ,hope the passengers had to leave the main line4 ,she made her change without any difficulty1 and saw that her trunk was safely bestowed4 ,then on and on past farms and a few straggling villages1 when the train began to slow up and the conductor called out--,north ,hope4 ,half bewildered1 as if it were a strange place1 she felt the conductor take her arm4 ,then someone else grasped it1 a rather tall figure with a familiar face1 and a delighted voice at his side exclaimed3 ,why1 ,helen ,grant6 ,you have grown almost out of recollection6 ,oh1 ,mrs4 ,dayton6 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,warfield6 ,that was all she could say at first4 ,mr4 ,warfield looked after her trunk2 ,mrs4 ,dayton surveyed her from head to foot4 ,you'll have to go in long dresses1 she began in an amused tone4 ,oh1 ,i don't want to grow up1 ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,i don't want to be a young lady4 ,girls have such a good time1 and in my heart and all over me ,i am just a girl1 she exclaimed vehemently4 ,i am glad of that1 too4 ,joanna wondered if you had forgotten how to dry glass and china1 and would be clear spoiled at boarding school4 ,you haven't changed a bit in looks1 and your face isn't a day older1 but you are almost as tall as ,i4 ,just now ,i haven't but two or three boarders1 and ,i want all of you that ,i can have for the pure pleasure of the thing4 ,mr4 ,warfield soon joined them4 ,here was the library in which she had taken such pleasure1 the street with the stores1 the window in which she had seen her ,madonna1 and now she knew so much about the old ones and their painters4 ,a turn in this quiet street and here they were4 ,she would not have been startled to see ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn on the porch4 ,there were an old lady and an old gentleman1 both silver-haired and placid1 she in an almost quakerish garb1 but looking very sweet4 ,you are tired and dusty1 ,i know1 and want a bit of freshening up4 ,mr4 ,warfield is going to stay to dinner1 and then you can have your talk4 ,his school just closed yesterday1 and he goes away to-morrow4 ,we have almost quarreled about you2 he hates girls' boarding schools and was sure you would come back a niminy1 priminy ,miss with high heels and trains and all that1 laughing gayly4 ,he doesn't know anything about ,aldred ,house1 ,helen replied1 amused4 ,here1 you are to have a room to yourself1 though ,i expect to-morrow ,uncle ,jason will whisk you off4 ,that old couple downstairs1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,white1 have ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's room4 ,and she's careering around ,europe like any young thing6 ,she does surprise me4 ,now when you are ready come down1 for we are just dying to inspect you and see how much you have changed4 ,helen recalled the fact that a year ago she thought this the most beautiful place imaginable4 ,there was the tall1 slim rowan-tree1 full of green berries that would hang out beads of red flame in the autumn1 the tamarack with its sprays of delicate leaves1 the big1 burly1 black walnut on the corner1 the wild clematis and ,virginia creeper1 the prim flower-beds4 ,there will be plenty of time to look at them through the summer1 she thought1 so she bathed her face1 brushed her hair1 shook out the pretty pliss shirtwaist she had in her satchel1 tied a blue ribbon round her neck and looked as fresh as a just opened flower4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,,hope ,,through ,a ,,wider ,,outlook ,she had on nice-fitting button boots with heels only moderately high1 a dark-blue1 thin summer-cloth skirt up to her ankles1 with several rows of stitching through the hem1 the crumply white pliss waist that fell like drapery about shoulders and arms1 her hair was a mass of braids at the back with a straight parting from forehead to crown1 some short curling ends about the edge of her fair brow1 and the blue of her eyes was many shades deeper than the ribbon around her neck4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was no more anxious to have her a young lady than ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,she was just a bright1 intelligent1 good-looking girl1 who would never be girlishly pretty1 but something better1 perhaps a handsome woman at five-and-twenty1 and always attractive from the sort of frank sweetness1 the wholesomeness of the thorough girl4 ,mr4 ,warfield felt rather vexed at being disappointed1 yet down in his heart he was glad she was fulfilling the sort of ideal he had of her1 the girl she might become with proper training1 he had often said1 even to ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,he thought he should know on just what lines to develop the best and highest in her4 ,he held a very good opinion of a man's training for certain natures1 and hers was one4 ,then he felt a little sore at not being able to keep a sort of supervision over her by letter4 ,but when she came and sat down by him in that unaffected manner and looked out of such frank eyes2 smiled with an every-day cordiality1 as if the smile was in constant use1 he was a little nonplused4 ,what have you been doing this whole year8 he asked with interest4 ,could you pass an examination for the ,high ,school8 ,oh1 do you remember how frightened ,i was8 ,but some of the questions would not cause me five minutes' thought now4 ,i've had a magnificent time with history and literature1 and a tough time with ,latin4 ,it is one of the things ,i have to delve at this summer4 ,it seems to me most of my life is school life4 ,i can't stop anywhere4 ,something is thrust at me all the time4 ,you used to love to study1 complainingly4 ,i love it yet4 ,botany is delightful1 it is so full of live wonders4 ,i do not care so much for chemistry4 ,and physics---- ,they require close attention4 ,and what accomplishments8 in a dissatisfied tone4 ,french that ,i am not in love with1 but ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn insists upon it1 and the piano1 drawing1 and painting4 ,a waste of time most of them1 he commented severely4 ,sketching is very fascinating4 ,and a camera can give you the picture twice as well4 ,some of the ,seniors do beautiful work4 ,one of them goes abroad to study and perfect herself in art4 ,miss ,gertrude ,aldred will go after next year4 ,that may be very well for pastime1 or waste-time1 with a touch of sarcasm1 but ,i don't suppose any of these girls could get their living at it8 ,i don't know as they will be compelled to4 ,but everybody has to be put through the same mill1 ,i suppose8 ,not exactly4 ,some studies are elective4 ,three of the girls go to college4 ,of course many of them do not expect to turn their education to any account4 ,i should like to know just what ,i am to do with mine1 and she laughed softly4 ,i thought you once looked up to teaching as a sort of glorified existence4 ,the touch of irony did not hurt her at all4 ,i still think it one of the finest professions4 ,only--,i should like to have a school of smart1 eager children1 and go on and on with them4 ,i think it must be very hard to take up a new dull class every season4 ,it is1 he returned frankly4 ,it was one of the drawbacks1 like going down to the foot of your own class4 ,so ,i think ,i shall have a boarding school and keep the girls year after year4 ,well1 are you deep in metaphysics or transcendentalism8 asked a cheerful voice1 as ,mrs4 ,dayton's ample figure emerged from the door-way4 ,you do not seem to be 'sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought4' ,that is an old-fashioned quotation and was in the copy books at school in my day1 when to be thin and pale was the mark of a student4 ,and wasn't midnight oil another8 ,you do not show marks of either1 ,helen4 ,oh1 the lights are out and we have to be in bed at ten4 ,we can rise as early as we like in the morning1 however1 laughed ,helen4 ,numbers of the old ideas have been exploded4 ,still1 we must admit they made some good scholars4 ,the students were more in earnest1 they were not so superficial4 ,but it takes a long while to learn everything thoroughly4 ,that is where teachers and professors have the advantage1 they can spend their whole lives over it1 exclaimed ,helen4 ,honestly1 and a rather mischievous light flashed across her face1 ,i do not think the average girl is a born student4 ,perhaps the boy isn't either4 ,but there seem to be so many things in a girl's life1 so many sides to it--and a thoughtful crease came in her forehead4 ,you have found that out early4 ,but the successes must be able to do several things well1 and to bring knowledge into action1 not have a lot of useless matter stored up in the brain waiting for the time to make it serviceable1 and then it is not fresh1 often not useful4 ,like the old clothes you pile up in the garret1 interpolated ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,they are out of date and moth-eaten4 ,there are many things it is not worth while to save up4 ,i have a boarder here who has saved up all her troubles since she was ten years old1 and lives them over1 takes them out and puts them back4 ,she is a well-informed woman1 too4 ,there is the bell1 so come in to dinner4 ,there were only ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,white1 ,mrs4 ,carson1 the woman of many troubles1 and ,mr4 ,conway1 who gave ,helen a warm welcome1 but was amazed at the change in her4 ,they talked a little over the last summer's guests4 ,miss ,lessing was married and the younger girl engaged4 ,the ,disbrowes had gone ,west4 ,and truly ,i wouldn't mind having ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn again4 ,she certainly is an uncommon woman and does enjoy life on all sides4 ,and it is curious the way she picks up knowledge everywhere4 ,i dare say she sometimes mentions facts about her own country to consuls and ministers abroad that they have scarcely heard of1 declared ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,mr4 ,warfield gave a little sniff and a curl of the lip that seemed to run all over his face in disapprobation1 because he could find no trenchant sentence to apply to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,but ,helen glanced at her hostess with a lovely grateful light more eloquent than words4 ,when they rose she lingered4 ,i ought to go out and dry the dishes for ,joanna1 the girl said laughingly4 ,indeed1 you will do no such thing1 was the quick reply4 ,and let me whisper a secret in your ear1 though ,i don't know as it need be that4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn wrote me a note1 asking me to invite you here and keep you as much of the time as ,aunt ,jane would be willing to spare you4 ,and she inclosed a check4 ,i'd been ready enough to do it just for the pleasure4 ,she is very generous1 said ,helen1 much moved4 ,and some people think her mean4 ,she is unduly exact1 but ,i guess the world would be better if more people paid their just debts instead of buying you a dollar gift when they owed you forty or fifty4 ,but run out on the porch and talk to ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,he came purposely to see you4 ,i'll be out and join the fray presently1 her eyes overflowing with an amused light4 ,if you were older ,i should say--there1 run along4 ,she checked herself just in time4 ,it was on the tip of her tongue to add--he is half in love with you4 ,but the girl's face was so innocently frank that it would have been both ill-bred and cruel to suggest such a thing4 ,on the whole1 it was a pleasant evening1 though ,helen was not a little puzzled by several things in ,mr4 ,warfield's demeanor1 and his resolutely keeping to his opinion that she would have been better off at the ,high ,school4 ,some way would have opened for her1 he was confident4 ,still1 he gave her the most cordial good wishes4 ,she had the making of a splendid girl and woman in her4 ,he took great credit in the consciousness that he had seen this1 and roused her from a commonplace existence1 for now1 whatever happened1 she could not be commonplace2 as if1 indeed1 the every-day lives were not often doing heroic and lovely deeds in their every-day sphere4 ,he was going for nine weeks to a summer college term1 on the borders of a beautiful lake1 where he would have refreshment of body as well as mind4 ,so he might not see her again under a year4 ,i do hope they will not have you spoiled1 he said with his good-by4 ,and as he walked down the street he muttered under his breath3 ,that old woman will make a waiting maid of her in the end4 ,he was jealous that the old woman should be able to dictate the girl's life just because she was rich4 ,she had such a happy morning with ,mrs4 ,dayton1 talking over last summer2 ,joanna studied her with admiring eyes and declared that she was not changed a bit1 only had grown taller1 and the mysterious alteration that comes to a girl on the boundary line1 for which she had no words4 ,uncle ,jason came in quite early and was delighted with his warm welcome1 more frank than ,joanna's4 ,my1 you're growed every way6 he said1 and you're pretty as a pink1 and fine as a lady6 ,i declare ,i don't know what ,aunt ,jane will do with you4 ,and the children are just crazy to see you4 ,my6 ,my6 ,he studied her from head to foot and turned her round4 ,his eyes twinkled1 he screwed up his face until it was a bed of wrinkles4 ,his hair was faded and grayer1 the fringe of beard ragged4 ,but there was such a gladness1 such an utter satisfaction that she felt doubly assured of his love4 ,when she had gone to pick up a few articles ,mrs4 ,dayton made a little explanation that she felt would ease ,helen's course4 ,she would have a good deal of studying to do1 and ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had made arrangements for her to stay here part of the time1 as it would be quiet1 with no interruptions to break in upon her time4 ,why1 ,i thought it was vacation6 looking puzzled4 ,mother's planned a lot of things4 ,and she's mortal afraid ,helen will forget all about housekeeping4 ,she belongs to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn for the two years1 you know1 since that lady is taking care of her4 ,you see now that is only fair4 ,helen's time is planned out4 ,sho1 now6 and he bit at the end of a wheat stem he found hanging to his clothes4 ,helen knows a good deal about housework and if she should ever have it to do1 it will come back to her4 ,but her heart is set upon teaching1 and ,i think that is about as easy a way of earning money as any1 if you are fitted for it4 ,mr4 ,mulford said no more1 but he felt there would be a clash between ,aunt ,jane and ,helen4 ,the rosy1 bright-eyed girl said good-by to her dear friend1 with the promise of returning soon1 and stepped into the rickety old wagon4 ,it seemed curious to her1 but everything about looked so much smaller4 ,the houses appeared to have shrunk1 fences were dilapidated1 gates hung by one hinge1 the paths at the roadside were overgrown with weeds4 ,every street and plot of ground at ,westchester was so pretty and tidy1 the hills were so high and grand1 and there was the beautiful river4 ,to be sure the great ,creator of all had placed it there1 had raised the mountains to their height1 but the residents had added the thriftiness and beauty4 ,oh1 she could never live here6 ,she wondered how her father had taken to it1 and how ,mr4 ,warfield endured it4 ,uncle ,jason was a better farmer than most of his neighbors4 ,aunt ,jane took the credit of that2 perhaps she did deserve most of it4 ,people and towns seldom remain stationary2 if they do not improve they retrograde4 ,the railroad was building up ,north ,hope at the expense of the ,center4 ,the house and the front fence needed painting sadly4 ,the flower-beds looked rather ragged1 the grass wanted cutting4 ,sam had gone in the spring to learn a mason's trade and only came home for over ,sunday4 ,so ,uncle ,jason was short-handed4 ,the children made a rush1 then paused4 ,helen sprang down with a dignity that checked them1 but she kissed them all round1 and ,aunt ,jane1 who was wiping her arms and hands on her apron4 ,i thought ,i'd get trigged up before anyone came1 she exclaimed1 but there's so much to do on ,saturday4 ,you might have opened the front door1 ',reely1 but never mind1 and they all trailed around through the kitchen4 ,off the end of the dining room was a small room that ,jenny had used for sewing and odds and ends1 and they went thither4 ,now take off your hat4 ,my1 didn't you bring anything but that satchel6 ,and here's a fan--it's hot in here1 and as for flies1 they eat you up6 ',reely1 you and ,fan set the table4 ,how you've changed1 ,helen1 you're most grown up4 ,but land6 ,when ,i was fourteen ,i was grown up and did a woman's work4 ,and you're fifteen6 ,well1 ,i suppose you've had a grand good time1 and forgot all the useful things you ever knew4 ,aunt ,jane's tone was good-humored1 but it had a certain air of authority1 indicating that ,helen could never outgrow her right or proprietorship4 ,no1 ,i do not think ,i have forgotten much1 and certainly have learned a great deal more1 she replied quietly4 ,well1 book-learnin' isn't everything4 ,i'd like to know how houses and farms would go on if everybody kept to books4 ,there's ,jenny1 and ,helen was delighted with the break4 ,jenny was sunburned but looked well1 quite like a country farmer's wife1 and was gayly cordial1 laughed because her mother's supper was late2 they always had theirs early on ,saturday afternoon4 ,you wait until you get a house full of children1 said her mother with a touch of annoyance4 ,the girls sat out on the old bench that had gone a little more to splinters4 ,uncle ,jason came in2 he had not quite worked ,nathan up to the point of ,sam's usefulness4 ,aunt ,jane didn't mean to lead off with any fuss for ,helen1 so supper was in the kitchen1 but the tablecloth was clean--the other had met with a big accident at noon4 ,nothing was much changed except the children were a year older and larger4 ,two or three of them still talked at once4 ,jenny sat by and had a cup of tea4 ,aurelia and ,fanny were a little awed by ,helen's fine ways1 and began to eye her furtively4 ,jenny kept most of the talk and when the meal was through took ,helen out on the front stoop4 ,what was the school like and were there many rich girls in it8 ,and what did ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn mean to do with her when she was through with school8 ,helen was relieved when she branched off on her own affairs4 ,how much the egg and butter money had amounted to1 and another scheme she had struck4 ,she helped mother out with her sewing1 but she found in the winter she had a good deal of time on her hands1 so she began to sew for the neighbors4 ,you know ,i always did like running the machine1 she declared4 ,and you'd be surprised at the money ,i've earned4 ,i don't see how women can dawdle away their time so1 when they've small families4 ,i think working in a shop is a grand good training4 ,you must be there at a certain hour1 you must put in every moment if you are going to be a success1 and you get brisk ways if there's anything at all to you4 ,joe came over presently1 and the two farmers smoked and talked4 ,then ,jenny said she would take ,helen home with her1 she had such a nice spare room1 and she and ,aunt ,jane had some words over it1 but ,jenny carried her point4 ,it was lovely and quiet1 and ,helen was thankful4 ,yes1 she had grown away from them2 while she loved them just as well1 she thought she loved ,uncle ,jason better4 ,the life was so different4 ,it need not be so hard and1--yes1 it was coarse1 really untender4 ,aunt ,jane would have suffered anything for her children's sake1 but it must be in her way4 ,after all these years of married life1 children1 and a certain degree of hard-won prosperity1 she knew better than anyone else how the world could be managed4 ',reely and ,fan were fascinated with ,helen1 and ,jenny said she had a good deal of common sense1 and she supposed all the airish ways were just right at school1 but they seemed queer among common folks4 ,it was inevitable that ,helen and ,aunt ,jane should clash1 and ,helen felt even at the risk of being misunderstood and wrongfully accused1 she must establish her own standing4 ,she had not come home to help with housework4 ,i wish ,i'd never let you gone over there to wait on that old woman1 and have your head filled with airs and graces that you think sets you up above your family4 ,i knew that day ,i should be sorry for it4 ,and this is all the thanks ,i get for what ,i've done for you1 while you'll crawl on the ground after her4 ,no1 ,i shouldn't2 ,i do not1 replied ,helen with dignity4 ,i shall always feel thankful to you and ,uncle ,jason for what you have done1 and1 ,aunt ,jane1 when ,i get to where ,i can earn money ,i want to pay you back for my keep after father died---- ,helen's face was scarlet and the hot blood was racing up and down in her pulses4 ,yes1 she continued1 controlling her voice by a strong effort1 ,i have made that one of my duties4 ,i can't take your way of life1 ,aunt ,jane1 but ,i shall always feel grateful for the care4 ,helen ,grant1 do you suppose your uncle would take one penny from you1 his own sister's child6 ,it isn't that1 it's the--the---- ,oh1 ,aunt ,jane1 ,i am grateful4 ,do not let us quarrel because our paths lie in different directions4 ,i must work in the way ,i am best fitted for1 the way ,i shall like above all things---- ,oh1 yes1 you'll go off with that woman1 and she'll get tired of you and ship you off4 ,you mark my words4 ,then ,i can take up teaching1 which will be my delight4 ,she has offered me these two years of training and ,i mean to make the best of them1 to crowd in all ,i can1 to fit myself to earn my living in the way ,i like best of all4 ,i do suppose we all have some choice4 ,aunt ,jane flounced out of the room4 ,there was something burning on the stove1 and she was glad of the excuse4 ,and all she said when ,helen was going over to ,north ,hope1 was3 ,well1 come whenever you like4 ,the house is always open to you4 ,uncle ,jason was very tender to her4 ,mother's a bit cranky1 he said4 ,even ,jenny plagues her about it4 ,i think she's jealous of that ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn1 and she has an idea of her own about bringing up girls4 ,but they're not all alike and some are fit for one thing1 some for another4 ,jenny's got the right of it4 ,it's best for everyone to do what he's best fitted for1 or she1 smiling a little4 ,and it stands to reason that you might take after your own father4 ,you're not all ,mulford4 ,it was very delightful to be back with ,mrs4 ,dayton4 ,one new couple had come1 but they were very quiet people4 ,and the girls about began to call on her4 ,ella ,graham had enough of the ,high ,school4 ,i just went for the name of it1 she explained4 ,i should never teach1 and what is the use of wasting all that time and bothering your brains for nothing8 ,i shall get married the first good chance ,i have4 ,lu ,searing bewailed the hard work as well and wasn't sure she would keep on4 ,she wanted to go somewhere to boarding school1 she had heard girls had such fun getting in scrapes and out of them again4 ,marty ,pendleton was sick of it too1 and was going to learn dressmaking4 ,dan ,erlick had gone to be clerk in the drug store4 ,and to think how hard ,mr4 ,warfield worked over them all6 ,helen exclaimed1 indignantly4 ,it doesn't do him a bit of credit4 ,he had four new ones this summer4 ,well1 there does seem a good deal of work in this world without much result1 said ,jenny4 ,helen studied her ,latin with a will1 and one day to make some knotty point clearer went to the reference department of the library4 ,miss ,westerly1 the librarian1 had seen her the summer before and been interested in what had befallen her1 and now they took up quite a friendship4 ,the library was open only two evenings in the week1 after eight o'clock1 and ,miss ,westerly found it very pleasant to visit on ,mrs4 ,dayton's porch and talk to a girl as bright and ambitious as ,helen4 ,she was a college graduate and a thorough student1 not considering her education finished4 ,i should like so to go to college1 ,helen said4 ,but ,i don't know--,i should have to earn some money first4 ,i have a friend who entered college at twenty-seven4 ,she was a clerk in a store and then an old uncle left her some money4 ,she was born for a student1 and she graduated with honors4 ,she is thirty-five now1 vice-principal in a large seminary at the ,west1 and a very successful teacher4 ,then ,i know of a girl who spent two years at college1 taught three years and then went back and finished4 ,some women1 as well as some men1 love knowledge4 ,i have half a mind to say ,i will go1 no matter what stands in the way1 and ,helen smiled vaguely4 ,if one could see into the future4 ,perhaps your friend may send you4 ,helen wondered whether she would dare propose it4 ,once a week she went out to the farm4 ,aunt ,jane had cooled down a little1 for ,uncle ,jason had said1 ,if you can't get along1 mother1 ,i'll hire someone through the heat of the summer4 ,nancy ,bird would come in a minute4 ,as for thinking to put ,helen to housework1 washing and ironing and all that1 when someone else is taking care of her1 ,i don't see as it would be just the thing1 no more than to call ,sam home when ,mr4 ,bartow has given him a good lay4 ,i don't see as ,helen is any better than my girls1 and they are going to be brought up to work4 ,her father didn't make out much for all his education4 ,helen did have some nice visits with ,jenny1 who was rather more modern and broader minded than her mother4 ,she kept her house with some system1 of course1 there was no one to disarrange her methods4 ,she was blithe and cheerful and eager to get along1 but she and ,joe went off driving now and then1 and she listened with slow-growing interest when he read aloud to her4 ,but altogether1 ,helen was not sorry when she found herself on the way back to school4 ,she had a warmer feeling than ever for ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn and had written her two charming letters from ,mrs4 ,dayton's porch4 ,what a trouble her education seemed to some of those who had no hand in it4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,,in ,,the ,,delightful ,,current ,helen ,grant came to ,aldred ,house again on ,friday afternoon4 ,miss ,daisy1 who had been there but an hour1 rushed down to welcome her4 ,oh1 dear6 ,if something had happened and you had not come1 she cried1 ,i should really have been broken-hearted1 and ,i don't see what good ,samaritan could have bound up the wounds4 ,and most things are going to be strange and new4 ,new girls8 inquiringly4 ,yes1 ever so many of them4 ,there were several ,mrs4 ,aldred could not take last year4 ,she is closeted with two now1 and you may as well come upstairs at once4 ,i have some new pictures--we will give away the old ones4 ,and the sweetest new willow rocker4 ,but what do you think has happened to ,roxy ,mays8 ,marriage1 cried ,helen laughingly4 ,no1 but a fortune4 ,and her oldest sister was married to a designer or something who goes abroad to illustrate ,russia4 ,the old great-aunt died suddenly1 and left a good deal of money to ,mr4 ,mays1 and ten thousand dollars to ,roxy4 ,so her mother and the other sister and she sailed the last week in ,august4 ,of course ,roxy is in high feather4 ,and ,miss ,reid and ,miss ,gertrude ,aldred have gone to ,rome under the care of a friend of ,mrs4 ,aldred's4 ,two of the girls have gone to ,leipsic4 ,oh1 dear1 ,i wonder if we will ever go abroad8 ,it is a lovely dream4 ,i do hope to compass it some time1 and a longing light filled ,helen's eyes4 ,and there is so much to see here4 ,we had a cousin of father's visiting us who had spent seven years in ,mexico1 and knew ,president ,diaz quite well4 ,he tells such interesting stories about the wonders there1 the discoveries and the traces of people who must have lived a thousand or perhaps more years ago4 ,then my brother has a friend who is deep in those marvelous exhumations in ,arizona4 ,presently we shall be a famous country1 if we haven't castles and cathedrals4 ,helen's trunk came up and she began to unpack4 ,there were some new gowns4 ,are you going in long skirts8 inquired ,daisy4 ,not this winter4 ,i should like to be 'only a girl' ever so long1 and ,helen smiled dreamily4 ,it seems as if ,i had been only a very little girl thirteen years or so1 and now ,i want to be just a big girl4 ,womanhood looks so strange and mysterious to me4 ,there are so many things to be decided then1 and now you can hover about the edge1 just slip into the surf of that river called the future and then draw back4 ,you don't have to cross it4 ,but some day you must1 and shoulder its responsibilities4 ,how queer and solemn that sounds4 ,and ,i am a whole year older1 and ,i ought to be ever so much ahead of you4 ,you are in ,latin and ,french4 ,i studied up some4 ,i met a delightful woman1--well ,i saw her last summer1 and oddly enough she remembered me from the books ,i read1--that ,i never should have known about but for ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,she is the librarian4 ,and we have had such a nice time4 ,she is a college graduate1 and she has inspired me with a longing to go4 ,but then ,i want everything4 ,travel and music and churches and ruins and histories of nations that have been swept away1 and to climb the pyramids1 and to ask the ,sphinx her mighty question---- ,your mighty question as to what secret is in her ponderous brain8 ,both girls laughed heartily1 merrily4 ,well1 ,i must say1 ,helen ,grant1 your wishes comprise enough for a lifetime6 ,and you have left out ,paris1 and that quaint1 delightful1 clean1 watery ,holland1 and ,moscow1 and ,india4 ,there is too much for one lifetime4 ,i wonder if we do come back and take some of the pleasures in the life afterward8 ,but then we don't remember what has gone before1 so where is the benefit8 ,there are ever so many new girls1 said ,daisy presently4 ,i wonder if we haven't a small share of duty towards them1 remarked ,helen1 considering4 ,i thought it lovely of you girls to come and welcome me when ,i was a stranger4 ,roxy was splendid at that4 ,i am not sure but there was some curiosity in it4 ,she liked to get down to the bottom of a girl's soul and life and know all that had happened to her4 ,and she was very amusing with her bright comments and comparisons4 ,i was desperately in love with her at first1 and ,daisy colored warmly4 ,then she said little things about other girls that ,i didn't like4 ,and you were so upright1 so generous in your criticisms1 so ready to make allowance4 ,and after all that mistake about ,miss ,craven she was very unwilling to own she had been wrong4 ,wasn't ,i fearfully jealous8 ,didn't ,i act like a fiend8 ,there were tears in ,daisy's eyes4 ,helen gave a vague smile4 ,i can see now that it was somewhat due to ,roxy's influence4 ,she kept saying you were so bewitched about her1 and that you were on the lookout for new sensations1 that you tried on friendships and then cast them off4 ,i think that was what she did4 ,what a foolishly miserable girl ,i was1 but ,i did love you4 ,and ,i do1 ,i shall4 ,helen kissed her fondly4 ,and mamma thought it was very kind in you to take up ,miss ,craven4 ,she is curiously interested in her1 wondering how she will develop4 ,papa says the ,craven mines are remarkable1 the new one with all that hematite is a fortune by itself4 ,i hope she comes back4 ,that evening they made acquaintance with a few of the new girls4 ,and the next day came a crowd1 new and old1 ,miss ,craven among them4 ,juliet ,craven had changed wonderfully under the influence of a woman who had always longed for a daughter and had three sons instead4 ,there was a brightness about her1 a kind of new interest that shone in her eyes and brought a tint to her cheeks4 ,a little contrast would have made her quite a pretty girl1 for her features were fairly good1 but she was too much of a nondescript4 ,for the first time she had known personal interest and affection from a woman who might have been her mother1 and who certainly had no ulterior object4 ,she had outgrown some of her timidity1 she stood up straighter1 as if she was more conscious of her own power1 and she dared to meet the eyes of the other girls1 to answer their smiles4 ,she was to go in most of the classes this year1 though the girls would be much younger1 but ,mrs4 ,aldred judged that the companionship would prove beneficial4 ,there were several changes in the teaching corps4 ,a ,mrs4 ,wiley1 middle-aged and experienced1 who had been employed in a girls' college in the ,west1 shared with ,miss ,grace the duties of the senior classes4 ,her daughter1 ,miss ,esther1 taught in the younger day-school classes and was a pupil in several studies4 ,after a month matters ran along smoothly4 ,not that the girls fell into the traces without any friction4 ,some were pert and self-sufficient1 others consequential1 and several not remarkable for anything1 taking mental culture along objective lines1 and a few ambitious1 intellectual1 loving study for the sake of the sweet kernel knowledge when you had cracked the rough outer shell4 ,there were the bright and sweet1 who had no aims above the average1 and who would get trained into nice1 wholesome girls and make good wives and mothers4 ,helen enjoyed her studies immensely4 ,the botany rambles were one of her great pleasures1 and when she went at the wonders of astronomy she was enraptured4 ,such a student is worth having2 she inspires the rest1 ,mrs4 ,wiley said to ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,there is a girl who should go to college4 ,yes1 she ought1 but in her secret soul ,mrs4 ,aldred feared that was not ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's design4 ,she was beginning to understand and love ,latin1 and doing very well at ,french4 ,she did not display much aptitude for drawing1 though she had a certain artistic taste in arrangement4 ,but ,i really do not see any use of hammering away at music1 she protested4 ,i never shall make a fine player4 ,you will make a fine singer and you want some thorough knowledge for that1 said ,madame ,meran4 ,it was one of the branches ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn is very particular about1 ,mrs4 ,aldred added1 in a tone that left no room for demur4 ,there was the usual fun and perhaps a little sly flirting among the newer students with the young men in the law offices4 ,autumn was quite a lively time1 since court was in session4 ,the girls were allowed to visit the fairs and entertainments of their respective churches1 and occasionally spend ,saturday afternoon with an outside acquaintance4 ,during the holidays ,mrs4 ,dayton wrote that one of the ,high-,school teachers had resigned and ,mr4 ,warfield had gained the appointment1 being much delighted with it1 and would board with her4 ,from home she heard that ,jenny had a little son and they were all very joyous4 ,fan was going to spend the winter with her4 ,aurelia had been taken out of school as she didn't learn anything worth while1 and ,aunt ,jane believed in making her girls useful4 ,i don't wonder teachers get discouraged in a small country place1 she thought1 when the parents care so little for education4 ,she was glad ,mr4 ,warfield had gone to the ,high ,school1 where he could have a more congenial atmosphere4 ,helen often wondered in these days what her father had been like1 and how he came to drift to such a dull place as ,hope ,center4 ,twenty years before it had been a center of several things4 ,the ,church was flourishing4 ,in the winter the large boys and girls came to school and the old-fashioned alligation1 mensuration1 and surveying were taught and made useful1 the history of the country1 parsing out of ,milton's ,paradise ,lost1 learning as much about the older ,english essayists and writers as was taught in the ,high ,school4 ,now1 the children1 before they were fairly grown1 went into shops or learned a trade4 ,there had been a fine debating society in the ,center1 and people drove in from miles around to listen to the arguments1 which were generally on stirring questions of the day1 psychological fads being unknown1 or the highest truth in them called by some other name4 ,then the railroad had really cut it off4 ,north ,hope had grown at its expense4 ,she thought1 too1 not a little about her own future4 ,what would happen at the close of the school year4 ,at the first of ,january she and ,daisy ,bell and a ,miss ,gardiner went into ,senior ,b4 ,in another year she would graduate4 ,there was something in ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's letters that appealed to her deeply at times1 an interest that gave her a curious thrill4 ,she wrote more earnestly herself1 she realized what a great thing this had been to her1 lifting her out of the common groove and giving her a decided standing among ,hope people4 ,and1 oh6 it had afforded her such splendid experiences with cultured people1 some friends who might go a long way through life with her and enrich her path with their life4 ,if you were going to college1 ,i should want to go too1 ,daisy ,bell said one day4 ,papa would be delighted1 ,i am sure4 ,and though you are younger1 ,i do not know so very much more1 laughingly4 ,you always study in such desperate earnest4 ,we should keep step together4 ,oh1 don't you wish we could see into the future8 ,yes1 she really did4 ,her friendship with ,juliet ,craven touched another side of her nature4 ,miss ,craven had a vein of peculiar romance4 ,she improvised in music1 she could imitate bird-songs in rare melody1 she could go to depths of feeling in a few chords that stirred one's very soul4 ,it was absolute genius4 ,these are the things ,i used to sing to myself in the old home1 she would say4 ,sometimes ,i would put words to them4 ,why1 that would be poetry4 ,why don't you try to write them down8 ,helen inquired with newborn interest4 ,there are so many things to study1 to learn1 to do4 ,i am not pretty enough to attract people1 but of course1 ,i know the money would4 ,sometimes ,i wish ,i had only just enough for my own wants4 ,another year ,i shall come into actual possession of a large sum1 and three years later1 if the mines should be sold1 there will be--well1 ,i haven't any idea how much more4 ,mrs4 ,davis' plan is to take me abroad and find someone with a title to marry me4 ,what could ,i do in that kind of life8 ,i want something quiet1 far-reaching4 ,i should like to make unfortunate people happy4 ,i wonder if there are any young girls in the world as lonely and as unfortunate as ,i was6 ,i shudder when ,i think ,i might have gone on with grandfather until all the best years of my life were spent4 ,mrs4 ,howard advises me to stay here and get a thorough education1 and ,i think that is best4 ,helen was very decided in her opinion that it was by far the best4 ,how queer that money should be so unequally divided1 ,miss ,craven having so much more than she could use1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn having so much1 and some of the girls with such rich fathers1 then others just squeezing through1 she really having none at all4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn was doing just what ,miss ,craven longed to do4 ,no1 not just4 ,if ,helen had been unpromising she realized keenly that she might have gone back to ,uncle ,jason1 or worked her way through the ,high ,school as she best might4 ,she knew now1 most girls of sixteen do1 that an attractive face and manner was an excellent capital4 ,she sometimes gave herself a little mental hug at the thought of having just the right share of good looks1 enough to please1 and not enough to be vain of1 and not the sort of fascination ,roxy ,mays had possessed4 ,there were several beautiful girls in school4 ,daisy ,bell had many charms1 a lovely1 subtle1 easily-flushing complexion that was like pink and pearl1 beautiful even teeth1 tender and loving eyes4 ,my face is just like me1 she comforted herself1 looking in the glass4 ,it is strong1 earnest1 and capable4 ,and ,i do mean to do something with life before ,i die4 ,i hope ,god will put me in the way of it4 ,toward spring there was an episode that now and then happens in a girls' school in spite of the closest supervision4 ,mrs4 ,aldred tried to train the girls to a high sense of honor1 and allowed them a certain liberty1 though no one girl ever went out alone4 ,among the new scholars was a pretty1 saucy little thing1 bright with her lessons and full of fun1 seemingly innocent enough4 ,but she had adroitly managed a flirtation with the brother of one of the day scholars4 ,letters had passed between them1 and she had eluded supervision and taken several strolls with him by climbing over the fence at the back of the grounds1 with the assistance of her admirer4 ,the daring went a little too far1 and one evening ,miss ,wiley saw the return of the culprit1 who begged and pleaded a little at first1 and then became defiant4 ,i don't care1 she said angrily4 ,we are engaged4 ,i knew ,i wouldn't be allowed to see him alone if he called1 and ,i had a right to his visits4 ,mrs4 ,aldred was surprised and had a rather stormy time with the girl1 who was sent home at once4 ,now that ,roxy ,mays will never come back1 said ,daisy gravely1 ,i will say to you that she did go as far as the letters once4 ,it was with the clerk in ,adams' drug store4 ,he gave a note to me and said it was a prescription1 and she laughed about it1 saying she only did it to prove how easily a girl could write letters and get answers1 but that she was not going to follow it up1 and she knew ,i would not betray her4 ,it was the very week before school closed1 and though it wasn't just right ,i let it pass4 ,she still corresponds with him1 but now her mother must know it4 ,it doesn't seem real fun to me to break rules that way4 ,i sometimes wonder what would have happened if she had returned to school6 ,helen smiled1 thinking of her innocent letter to ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,and now ,mrs4 ,dayton quoted him so often she wondered if that was quite right4 ,but she did enjoy writing to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,often there was only a few lines from her1 the rest finished by ,miss ,gage1 who had a very methodical manner of going over their doings4 ,in ,april an announcement was made that surprised and troubled many of the scholars4 ,mrs4 ,aldred had decided to go to ,europe1 taking her daughter ,grace and chaperoning several other young ladies4 ,gertrude1 who had been studying hard in ,paris1 would join them1 and they would spend the ensuing winter in ,rome4 ,mrs4 ,wiley and her daughter would take the school1 keeping it on the same lines4 ,i wish you could remain another year and graduate1 she said to ,helen4 ,i shall write to ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn about it4 ,then you would be fitted for whatever might happen afterward4 ,oh1 thank you6 ,helen replied earnestly4 ,i have been troubled about it1 and thought ,i ought to inquire4 ,i should be so sorry to have my schooldays end4 ,i have been so happy here4 ,no one could doubt it to look at her radiant face4 ,mrs4 ,aldred was much gratified4 ,yes1 she should hate to part with ,daisy now that they were growing so dear to each other4 ,and she felt as if she wanted a life interest in ,miss ,craven1 to know the sort of woman she would make and what she would do with her fortune4 ,it was ,may when the reply came1 a reply that so astounded ,helen1 even after reading the letter over two or three times1 that she was still bewildered4 ,she took it to ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,yes1 that lady rejoined1 you may read mine4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn keeps her mind as fresh as a person of half her age1 and she is past eighty4 ,she has made all the arrangements4 ,and the arrangements were that ,mrs4 ,aldred should bring ,helen to ,paris with the other young ladies4 ,she was going there and would be ready to receive her4 ,she was very grateful for the care bestowed upon ,helen1 she had been very much gratified with the girl's letters1 and this must answer until she could express the rest in person4 ,and you think--,i can't make it seem true1 faltered ,helen1--that such a thing should happen to me8 ,it does not altogether surprise me1 ,mrs4 ,aldred answered in a reassuring tone4 ,i surmised this from the beginning4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn took an unusual fancy to you1 and knowing you these two years ,i must give her penetration great credit4 ,for certain reasons1 ,i regret you cannot go on with your education4 ,but you will learn a great deal abroad4 ,i feel as if all of life is a school1 and you are learning right along to do what comes next4 ,i have worked hard at the ,french1 and now ,i see the use of it4 ,i dare say it will be so with other things4 ,i wish ,i were a better musician4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn will care more for your voice4 ,you can take excellent singing lessons abroad4 ,helen1 ,i do congratulate you from the bottom of my heart4 ,and whatever happens ,i shall always want to be considered your sincere friend4 ,i have been very much interested in your development1 and shall continue so to be4 ,she bent over and kissed ,helen1 who returned the caress with much warmth4 ,you will answer your letter to go by noon to-morrow4 ,helen bowed1 too much moved to speak4 ,it was still strange to her4 ,one might dream of an event coming in the future1 but to have it here1 to put your hand on it1 as one might say1 dazed her4 ,daisy was at a music practice1 though she did not think she could talk it over with anyone just now4 ,miss ,craven stood hesitatingly in the half open doorway1 with beseeching eyes4 ,if you are not too very busy--,i'm in trouble about the ,latin4 ,oh1 if ,i could be quick to see into things6 in a passion of regret that emphasized every line of her face where last year it would have been unmoved4 ,i had an awful time about it1 too1 so we can sympathize1 smiling cheerfully4 ,i just wanted something to start up my energies4 ,oh1 what should ,i do without you8 ,shall ,i ever be able to go on alone8 ,think what you have accomplished in the two years1 was the reassuring answer4 ,there was a saunter around the grounds afterwards1 meeting several groups of girls and flinging bright jests at each other4 ,then dinner1 the study period1 some conversation and it was bedtime4 ,but ,helen could not sleep4 ,she smiled to herself as she wondered what ,mr4 ,warfield would say and there was a consciousness that he would think her only half educated4 ,well1 could one ever be wholly educated at sixteen8--even at sixty1 professors are learning new things4 ,and1 oh1 what a stir it would make all through the ,hopes6 ,she was up early the next morning4 ,daisy was asleep in her little white bed with a smile on her face4 ,yes1 she would hate to leave her and ,miss ,craven1 and several others4 ,she slipped on her lovely ,japanese silk morning gown1 she reveled in pretty garments nowadays1 though they were all befitting a girl of sixteen1 and picking up her portfolio she glided softly down to the study room4 ,oh1 what a morning it was6 ,the sun was throwing out long shining rays in the east and they glistened on the tree-tops1 on the distant hills1 on the wide slopes1 leaving the nooks and haunts in suggestive darkness4 ,just a dainty little mist fit for dryad robes lingered about4 ,and here at the back1 down to the small stream1 dogwoods and late red maples and horse-chestnuts were in bloom4 ,could there be a lovelier picture8 ,had ,europe anything better8 ,and the fragrance might have come from ,araby the blest4 ,it was all youth and freshness1 and it took her back to the summer of two years ago when everything wonderful had just dawned upon her4 ,in this mood she wrote her letter4 ,all her life long she was glad she had not come to second thoughts1 about the matter1 but kept the first thoughts of joyous youth and gladness and gratefulness4 ,the rising bell rang and she hurried along1 wrote her last word at the next summons and sealed her letter4 ,where have you been8 cried ,daisy at the apparition in trailing gown1 as she opened her eyes4 ,writing a letter in the study4 ,then she hurried into skirt and waist and joined the group going downstairs1 giving bright good-mornings to one and another4 ,i can't think what ails you1 cried ,daisy in astonishment4 ,you look--enchanted and--frightened4 ,i will tell you--the first of anybody4 ,it is so strange ,i hardly believe it myself4 ,they were all striving their utmost1 this group of girls4 ,examinations were so near1 pictures were to be finished1 little gifts made to be exchanged1 remembrances of one's handiwork4 ,an excursion across the river to add pages to their lore on wild flowers which were to be pressed and put in books4 ,a lecture on ,browning that evening down at the town-hall1 and ,mrs4 ,wiley was to take a host of girls4 ,if he only would read ',herv ,riel'6 said ,helen4 ,and to think she might see the very place where the ships came in safely4 ,it would be worth much to her4 ,there is always a reaction from an exalted state1 and this came to ,helen ,grant4 ,by degrees she remembered what she might be giving up1 what she might be called upon to do4 ,if ,miss ,gage was coming home1 she would take her place1 and be companion1 have the whims1 the impatience1 and the restlessness to contend with4 ,she had experienced some of it already4 ,past eighty--why1 that was old age1 decrepitude presently1 loss of memory--some old people had to be told things over and over again4 ,she had never thought of real old age in connection with ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn4 ,and she would spend all her bright young years--there would be no further delightful school1 no graduation1 no college1 and she did love study so4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had given her these two splendid years1 but if she asked back ten1 and she was so confident of living to ninety--oh1 could she grant it cheerfully8 ,there would have to be some greater grace than her own4 ,and if ,god gave her this to do--if the friends of girlhood were denied her1 if ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn claimed all1 would she have to submit8 ,it was a hard question for sixteen who had only enjoyed two years of freedom about the things she loved best1 the thing she wanted most1 education4 ,she told ,daisy ,bell1 who didn't know whether to rejoice or not4 ,it was splendid1 of course1 but if she should be away for years and all their lovely friendship come to an end6 ,for ,i am sure ,i shall never find a girl ,i love so thoroughly1 that ,i depend on1 that is a strong tower to me4 ,mamma said my letters had been her treasures this year1 ,i was taking so much more serious and sacred views of life4 ,and they will be dismal enough next winter4 ,then ,i am afraid ,i haven't done you much good1 ,helen smiled through tears4 ,yes1 you have4 ,and ,i will try to remember all the nice talks we have had and keep strong on them4 ,we will appoint one hour in the day when we shall always think of each other4 ,and pray that ,god may give us grace to remember for years if there is need1 ,helen returned solemnly4 ,miss ,craven was glad for her4 ,it must be wonderful to have a person care that much for you1 she said1 to want to keep you near her4 ,why1 it is almost as mothers feel1 ,i suppose4 ,i couldn't bear the thought of you being away alone--if you were alone ,i should ask you to come and be a sister to me4 ,i don't know how ,i can get along without you1 but ,i must try and comfort myself with the thought of what you have been to me4 ,and1 oh1 if you should be absent years1 ,i will come over4 ,why1 ,i should like to see the dear old lady who loves you so4 ,helen felt almost convicted of ingratitude4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,,writ ,,in ,,an ,,unknown ,,tongue ,there were girls who envied ,helen ,grant1 who thought they would change places with her in a minute if they could4 ,she wrote to ,uncle ,jason and explained that it would not be possible to come home4 ,school closed on the #bhth of ,june1 on the #c;d of ,july they would leave on the steamer at ,new ,york4 ,she sent the same message to ,mrs4 ,dayton1 with the wish that she might be able to come and see her off1 but she didn't suppose it would be possible4 ,she secretly hoped ,mr4 ,warfield might make it so4 ,one of the schoolgirls1 a graduate1 would go home at once and meet them at the steamer4 ,the other two resided in ,new ,york4 ,mrs4 ,aldred was much engrossed with business matters and her preparations4 ,the second week in ,june1 when examinations had just begun1 ,mr4 ,castles came up one evening4 ,they were almost through dinner and ,mrs4 ,aldred closed the door of the reception room and desired that no one should disturb her4 ,mr4 ,castles said he was the bearer of melancholy news4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had died very suddenly in ,paris4 ,miss ,gage had cabled for full instructions4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's body would be brought home and buried beside her husband4 ,miss ,gage was to have all personal belongings inventoried and packed to come with her and the body4 ,do you know a ,mr4 ,james ,fenton8 he asked4 ,james ,fenton4 ,he is about as near a relation as ,i am4 ,he is on the father's side1 ,i am on her mother's2 about third cousins1 ,i think4 ,it appears this ,mr4 ,fenton annoyed her some at ,florence in the spring4 ,then he called on her at ,paris and had a long talk with her in the afternoon1 which ,miss ,gage said upset her very much4 ,they went to a reception in the evening at the ,embassy1 she seeming in her usual health1 but not quite placid4 ,it was very warm and she fainted1 it was supposed1 but the physician who was called pronounced her dead4 ,this ,mr4 ,fenton insisted upon taking charge of everything1 so ,i cabled my instructions at once4 ,the body will be here in a fortnight4 ,mrs4 ,aldred was shocked beyond measure4 ,it hardly seemed credible4 ,do you know anything about her affairs8 ,not especially1 replied ,mrs4 ,aldred4 ,i once heard her say she would not have much to leave behind4 ,the money was from her husband1 and if she chose to live extravagantly it was no one's affairs4 ,i am glad you take it philosophically1 and he gave a faint smile4 ,when she was about sixty-five she put nearly all her money in an annuity so she would have no further care4 ,she told me that she had no near relatives4 ,that was true enough4 ,so she lived very handsomely at times1 at others quite plainly4 ,she placed in my hands a sum amply sufficient for her burial1 which has never been disturbed4 ,i collected and paid over her annuity4 ,there may be a few thousands beside4 ,the income1 you know1 stopped with her death4 ,so there will be nothing for the heirs4 ,i for one shall not complain4 ,she paid generously for her protg1 six months in advance4 ,she sent for her and ,i was to take her over with me2 calling on you in all business matters4 ,yes1 she notified me4 ,it was ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's intention to keep this young girl with her the rest of her life4 ,her last letter to me was as buoyant as that of any young person4 ,she was certainly wonderful--eighty-six in ,march4 ,it seemed to me as if she might have lived to be a hundred4 ,i am afraid the talk of that man ,fenton did not do her any good4 ,it is a great shock4 ,i can hardly believe it4 ,what friends has this girl1 if any8 ,oh1 some relatives at a small town in a neighboring ,state1 an uncle who has cared for her4 ,she is a bright1 ambitious girl1 and ,i do regret the death for her sake4 ,i am glad there is someone she can turn to1 but ,i think she has the courage to work her way up1 with a helping hand now and then4 ,and you do not know about this ,mr4 ,fenton8 ,nothing much4 ,i once heard her say that after ,mr4 ,van ,dorn's death he applied to her for some money for business purposes and she refused4 ,i think she was not favorably impressed with him4 ,well1 there will not be much for anyone to have4 ,i think this annuity was by her husband's advice1 and it has saved her a good deal of care4 ,i thought it best for you to know at once and ,i did want to learn how the girl was situated4 ,do you suppose she will be bitterly disappointed8 ,she will be very much shocked and grieved4 ,it would have been the same if she had adopted her4 ,she could have made no provision for her future4 ,no1 thoughtfully4 ,and now ,i must take a night train back1 as ,i am very busy4 ,i will keep you informed as to matters4 ,we sail on the #c;d of ,july4 ,the body will be here before that4 ,she walked down to the street with him2 then took a rustic seat and considered ,helen ,grant's future in so far as she could1 but every moment she felt more regret that her bright hopes should be so suddenly quenched4 ,she resolved to say nothing at present until she had evolved a plan floating through her mind4 ,it was true ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had not reached the period appointed by herself4 ,she had felt sure of ninety years4 ,there were times when she feared that nature was on the wane1 but she still took excellent care of herself4 ,this ,mr4 ,fenton had besieged her for some money in the spring and a liberal allowance in her will4 ,as far as she could trace the relationship there were but two families who had any claim on her1 and his was one4 ,she had put him off with a sarcastic promise of taking her will into consideration1 then her quick wit intervened4 ,if ,i should die without a will you would share equally4 ,i think ,i will let it go that way4 ,that was all the satisfaction he could get4 ,she hoped never to see him again4 ,but he had found her in ,paris1 and again importuned her4 ,she had so much she could surely spare him a little now4 ,she allowed herself the gratification then of explaining the annuity to him and that she meant to spend her income in each year4 ,he flew into a passion and called her some harsh names1 when she had left him alone with a very curt dismissal4 ,she had been more provoked than excited4 ,there were some special reasons why she wished to attend this reception and she went4 ,whether it might have been different or whether she had reached her allotted span1 only ,god knew4 ,the next few days ,mrs4 ,aldred took especial pains with ,helen4 ,she must be able to enter the graduating class4 ,helen was delighted with the attention1 and repaid it with earnest endeavor4 ,mr4 ,castles sent word that ,miss ,gage had started with the body4 ,helen had passed most of her examinations when ,mrs4 ,aldred very tenderly informed her of the sad news1 and how almost incredulous she had been at first4 ,of course1 this changes all the plans1 she said1 when she had given ,helen time for her first anguish4 ,but ,i have been talking with ,mrs4 ,wiley1 who is quite willing to take you for some of the younger classes1 a year or two years1 and in that time you can graduate4 ,it is best that you should have a diploma4 ,you are very young yet1 and will be more capable of facing the world at eighteen4 ,i really have no fear for you1 and am confident you will succeed4 ,i cannot thank you sufficiently now1 ,helen answered4 ,i am bewildered4 ,may ,i be excused from dinner8 ,yes1 and anything you desire to-morrow4 ,you have my warmest sympathy1 and ,i feel that ,i do not want to lose sight of you in the years to come4 ,it was a sad night for ,helen1 a sad day following2 indeed1 it took all the joy out of the graduation exercises for her4 ,mrs4 ,wiley made her proffer and ,helen accepted it4 ,so you see we shall not be separated after all1 she said to both ,daisy and ,miss ,craven1 and the latter began to weave some plans for the future that she would keep to herself until the time came4 ,ah1 if she could repay ,helen's kindnesses6 ,miss ,gage reached ,new ,york the first day of ,july4 ,most of the girls had dispersed from the school4 ,helen was to go to the city with ,mrs4 ,aldred's party4 ,the day before a telegram from ,mrs4 ,dayton reached her1 containing this astounding news3 ,your father has returned4 ,you will find him staying with me4 ,could it be true--after all these years8 ,helen seemed to herself as one in a dream4 ,her sorrow for ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had grown with every hour and she almost abhorred herself that she should ever have hesitated a moment about devoting her whole life to her benefactress1 who had only asked for a few years4 ,but this new claim6 ,she could not ignore it4 ,how many times she had wished for his return6 ,but all these years he had made no sign1 expressed no desire to know whether she were living or dead4 ,the neglect stung her cruelly4 ,she had no time to consider this phase of affairs4 ,she had about decided to accept ,mrs4 ,wiley's offer4 ,there would be home and training for another year1 and she felt confident now that she could graduate4 ,on the other hand1 there would be clothes and small current expenses even with the strictest economy4 ,she would be a young lady1 and she shrank in dismay from all that implied2 but now she was quite at sea4 ,there was no one to give the word1 and pilot her through the windings4 ,she went to the city with ,mrs4 ,aldred and ,grace4 ,the other voyagers were already there4 ,the first business on hand was a visit to the lawyer's1 where ,miss ,gage would meet them4 ,the story was substantially what the companion had written4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn had gone out of life in that moment of time when she had felt confident of some years before her4 ,she had been spared suffering and dread4 ,when all expenses are met there may be a thousand or two thousand dollars1 explained ,mr4 ,castles4 ,mr4 ,fenton insists upon calling for the strictest accounting1 which he has a right to do1 of course1 and this means the small residue will be divided between you1 bowing to ,mrs4 ,aldred1 and himself4 ,i suppose she thought she would have so little to divide it was not worth making a will4 ,he insists the valuable jewels shall be sold4 ,but here is one point in which ,i think you will bear me out in believing the law has no right over4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn gave me each year a sum to be spent on ,miss ,grant4 ,it was her desire1 and a most excellent idea1 ,i think1 smiling vaguely1 that ,miss ,grant should not fall into extravagant habits4 ,there was a small amount left over when she made the new allowance4 ,this1 ,i take it1 belongs to ,miss ,helen ,grant1 and ,i propose to pay it over to her at once4 ,it is a private matter4 ,i agree with you perfectly1 returned ,mrs4 ,aldred1 in an approving tone2 glad1 indeed1 that it could be so4 ,i wish ,i dared double or quadruple it1 but ,i have no right4 ,this will be precious to you1 ,miss ,grant1 as the gift of your benefactress4 ,i know it was in her heart to treat you as if you were a near relative1 a granddaughter1 as she said in a late letter4 ,helen's eyes overflowed1 but she could not trust her voice4 ,it is a lovely remembrance1 added ,mrs4 ,aldred with much feeling4 ,and ,helen is worthy of it4 ,the lawyer handed her the envelope1 but she was too much moved to inspect its contents4 ,now1 you and ,miss ,gage may take the ante-room1 as ,i am certain that step prefigures ,mr4 ,fenton1 the lawyer announced4 ,miss ,gage had much to say to the young girl4 ,i am so glad you wrote just that letter of gratitude1 she began4 ,i cannot describe ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn's delight to you4 ,she was almost childish over it and read it again and again1 and though she was not sentimental about keeping letters1 ,i found this in a box of trinkets and have brought it back to you4 ,she was not an effusive woman1 but ,i think she counted a great deal on having your entire love4 ,you see ,i was one of a family who have always been very dear to each other1 and who clung together as few families do4 ,in the autumn ,i was to go home1 as she had found a most excellent maid1 who was also quite a practised nurse4 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn liked society and style and had many fashionable friends who did admire her1 and then she would have a few months of simplicity1 and quiet living1 which she believed preserved one's health and mental faculties4 ,no one would have supposed she was eighty-six--,i did not know it until ,mr4 ,castles told me4 ,i do very much regret she could not have lived a few years longer2 you would have had a charming time1 and there would have been no relatives to interfere4 ,helen winced1 but said nothing4 ,she has purchased various articles the last year for you1 boxes of trinkets marked with your name and put in my hands for safe keeping4 ,hardly a week before that sad day she came home one morning with the eager interest of a young person4 ,she had bought a beautiful inlaid box with fine brass handles1 and some new things1 and bade me look up all the others and put them in1 and said laughingly it was a treasure trove and when she was especially pleased she should bring you a gift out of it4 ,mr4 ,castles has it1 and will hand it over to you4 ,i cannot tell you how sorry ,i am you will not have this delightful time abroad4 ,she was counting on your enthusiasm to inspire her1 to make her over1 she used to say4 ,she had many admirable qualities4 ,of course1 there were ways and whims and times of depression when she looked to her companion to cheer her4 ,i think now they were the little advances of age that she resolutely refused to yield to4 ,she was very just1 she abhorred plain falsehood1 though ,i suppose most elderly women do indulge in some make-believes1 smiling a little sadly4 ,it was evident from the sound of voices in the adjoining room that ,mr4 ,fenton was not having an agreeable time4 ,he insisted the heirs had been grievously wronged by this annuity business4 ,as if the money was not hers to do what she chose with it1 said ,miss ,gage4 ,and it seems as if the ,van ,dorn relatives would be the ones to object since the money came that way4 ,i am glad she had her own satisfactory life1 and she has made others happy as well1 even if there is not much left4 ,mr4 ,fenton found that he could not take the matter in hand himself1 and that he must wait for the due process of law before he could get even the small sum that would come to him4 ,mrs4 ,aldred had to say good-by and go to the steamer4 ,helen was to write to her and she still strongly advised her going back to ,aldred ,house4 ,would it be possible8 ,mr4 ,castles brought out the pretty box of treasures and delivered it to ,helen4 ,the clerk would put her on the train and see her started on her journey2 ,miss ,gage had to remain with the lawyer1 but her good-by was very sympathetic and tender1 and she1 too1 begged ,helen to write1 as she should always take a deep interest in her4 ,helen settled herself for the long journey and the endeavor to disentangle the events that had so crowded upon her these few days4 ,whether she should go back to ,aldred ,house did not altogether depend upon herself4 ,true1 one perplexing question was settled--she took out her envelope and examined its contents4 ,five fifty-dollar bills1 a ten1 and a five beside4 ,two hundred and sixty-five dollars4 ,she could go through another year successfully1 and though she would still be young1 she could no doubt find a place to teach4 ,but what if this should be the end of school life8 ,her whole being rose up in revolt4 ,she had mentally protested against giving it up for pleasure1 she remembered1 but that would have been going on in knowledge of all kinds1 climbing up and up1 drinking in the juices of the fruit ripened and preserved long ago1 that would never lose its flavor4 ,and to take was not all1 to give presently1 to rouse some unthinking girl as she had been roused1 to reach out a helping hand--yes1 she had helped ,juliet ,craven over the thorny way1 through the dense forest where learning was well-nigh smothered with parasitic growths that could be cleared away and let in sunshine4 ,ah1 there were many lives needing it4 ,and now1 when one unlooked-for event had cleared the way1 this new one must arise4 ,what was her father like8 she wondered4 ,she really had no definite or trustworthy impression of him4 ,as a little child she had stood in great awe of him1 though she could not remember that he had ever been severe with her4 ,her mother had complained a good deal1 and she always said1 ,your father1 as if the child was in some way answerable for the infelicities4 ,aunt ,jane had given cruel flings sometimes1 and generally scoffed at him as being impractical and a complete failure4 ,but what hurt ,helen the most was that all these years he should not have cared enough to write even to ,uncle ,jason4 ,she1 ,helen1 might have died1 or misfortune might have attended ,uncle ,jason and the house been broken up1 she cast on the charities of the world4 ,he could not know4 ,how had she come by this fine sense of justice1 this clear sight in so many things1 this comprehension of honor and the right of every human soul8 ,she was suddenly a puzzle to herself4 ,was this the outgrowth of the wild1 laughing1 merry child1 ready for any fun or frolic or mischief1 who ran races with boys1 and could play ball1 climb trees1 jump higher fence-rails than any girl1 and be proud of it8 ,yet1 were not these things modified in the gymnasium8 ,so she need not blush over it1 or be ashamed of the riotous childhood4 ,and why had she protested so strenuously against going in the shoeshop8 ,where did these curious qualities and contradictions come from8 ,did she really owe her awakening to ,mr4 ,warfield8 ,would she have been content in the ,mulford groove but for him8 ,yet all these feelings and desires must have been in her brain1 inherited from somewhere4 ,what might not her father demand of her8 ,perhaps he was an invalid1 and even now she1 with aims and purposes settled on a higher plane1 might be compelled to spend years of waiting in which there would be no pleasure1 no satisfaction4 ,could she do it8 ,had he the right to ask it8 ,she was coming nearer and nearer to the momentous decision4 ,oh1 was she leaving the dear1 bright1 fascinating schooldays behind her1 the friends of girlhood1 the ambitious climbing where it seemed almost as if one had winged feet1 the delightful life with its discussions1 its shaping of tastes1 its comparison of heroes1 when they almost quarreled1 each being so eager and confident of her own1 the lovely walks1 unearthing the secrets of nature growths1 the pretty1 touching confidences so much to girls1 the expansion everywhere2 two splendid1 joyous years of improvement1 draining the real secrets of knowledge to help explain the mysteries of life1--was it all over8 ,they were coming nearer to all the ,hopes4 ,a hard little smile settled about her lips4 ,how queer they should have called it ,hope1 this dead and alive place1 where hope could be so easily crushed8 ,would she abandon hope when she entered8 ,they steamed into the station1 backed a little for some cause1 then came forward again4 ,she was on the off-side so she need not look out of the window4 ,she waited for the small procession to pass out of the aisle1 then she picked up her satchel and her precious box4 ,mr4 ,warfield stood watching1 and her heart beat more freely4 ,he took her satchel when the conductor had helped her down1 and studied her face eagerly4 ,i began to wonder if you were on the train4 ,are you tired8 ,it is a long journey4 ,the friendly voice seemed to restore her4 ,not especially tired1 she answered slowly4 ,they walked on in silence1 but a question trembled about her lips4 ,were you tremendously surprised8 ,of course1 one couldn't give particulars in a telegram4 ,why--yes1 after believing him dead all these years4 ,is he--is he well8 ,that was not what she wanted to ask4 ,yes1 ,i think so4 ,mrs4 ,dayton said he had not changed very much4 ,he is fifty-four and looks seventy4 ,but1 oh1 the learning6 ,he certainly has 'ransacked the ages4' ,and ,i suppose it will seem strange to him to have a big girl8 ,there was a little falter in ,helen's voice1 and she flushed and paled4 ,well--he almost expected you had gone through college1 and ,mr4 ,warfield gave his shoulders a shrug4 ,i can tell you he has no faith in modern education4 ,and ,i do believe he would rather have you forty than sixteen4 ,i am glad to be only sixteen1 ,helen returned with decision4 ,life is a splendid thing and youth is its garden of growth1 and ,i am more than satisfied to be still in the lovely garden4 ,she held her head up very straight1 and the poise of her shoulders was fine and vigorous4 ,she would not be made old for anybody4 ,she would not hurry through any sweet year of her life4 ,there will be some clashing1 thought ,mr4 ,warfield4 ,and ,i do believe she will win4 ,when did he come8 she asked presently4 ,and where has he been all these years8 ,the last year in the ,british ,museum4 ,before that buried in the ruins of the lost cities of the ,bible1 read now by cylinders and tablet plates and inscriptions on stone4 ,well1 it is wonderful to know so much1 to be able to reconstruct dead and gone ages4 ,he reached here four or five days ago and surprised the ,mulfords2 came over here and engaged board when he heard you were on the eve of return2 went up to ,new ,york and reached here last night4 ,of course1 he might have written her a few words4 ,and that wonderful old lady of yours is dead6 ,wouldn't it have been queer if you had started for ,europe8 ,oh1 here we are6 and he opened the gate4 ,helen walked straight up the path1 and the man pacing the porch paused at the steps4 ,he was tall and thin1 with a bend in the shoulders1 and his clothes hung loosely on him4 ,his face had a sort of shrunken look and was much wrinkled1 his beard was sparse and snowy white1 and his white hair was rather long with curling ends4 ,he looked like an old picture1 but he was a gentleman every inch of him4 ,oh6 ,helen exclaimed with a gasp4 ,he took both hands1 looked her over from head to foot1 then touched his lips to her forehead4 ,illustration3 ,he looked like an old picture1 but he was a gentleman every inch of him4--,page #cij4 ,you're not a bit like your mother1 and ,helen detected a sense of relief in his tone4 ,could he remember all these years8 ,almost a sob came up in her throat4 ,yes1 girl life had ended4 ,i am glad and thankful that ,i have you to recall1 happy1 happy schooldays1 she said to herself4 ,no one can take that from me4 ,oh1 ,mrs4 ,van ,dorn6 ,i hope you know what all this has been to me1 what it will be in the years to come4 ,they were parent and child1 but they had to begin life over1 a new life to her4 ,his way was settled4 ,would hers have to yield8 ,the future seemed to hold problems no less serious than those which had confronted her in the past4 ,but there had been some way provided for each difficulty thus far1 as we have seen1 and how the brave girl made good use of what her schooldays had done for her can at some time in the future be learned by reading ,helen ,grant's ,friends4 ,,the ,,end