elatives and friends.

While Mr. and Mrs. Woburn were sitting at luncheon they were startled by
hearing a violent knock at the door, and the next moment Julia, dressed
in her walking attire, rushed into the room, regardless of everything
but the one idea which possessed her mind, and exclaimed, "Father, tell
me, did you ever fail? Were you ever a bankrupt?"

Mr. Woburn's face changed suddenly, and grew stern and pale.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because they have slandered you and insulted me at school, but I told
them it was false."

"It _was_--true," said Mr. Woburn slowly, "but I fail to see what can
have brought it up now."

"True!" cried Julia, bursting into tears, and sobbing hysterically.
"Then I can never go to Miss Elgin's again."

She threw herself upon the sofa, and for some minutes was unable to
speak, so violent was her passion and anger. In vain her father demanded
an explanation of her strange behaviour, and her mother tried to calm
and soothe her.

"Leave her to me," she said at last. "I am quite at a loss to understand
the matter, but she will tell me when she is better."

Before the sobs had altogether subsided Ruth entered the room: for Miss
Elgin, hearing of Julia's sudden departure, had imagined that her
headache had increased, and at once despatched her cousin to follow her.

"Perhaps you can explain what has happened," said her aunt. "Why have
the girls been talking of your uncle's business affairs?"

"Well, the fact is, auntie, that Mabel Stanley came to school yesterday,
and Julia was cross and rude to her because her father has failed, and
then the girls made up this tale to humble her, and she flew into a rage
and came home."

"Now I understand. But the tale was true, nevertheless. Now, Julia dear,
don't sob. I think I had better tell you all about it, that you may
understand for yourselves.

"I think you know, Julia, that when your father started in life he had
not much capital, and began business in a small way. But he did very
well until there came a time of commercial depression, and a man who
owed him a considerable sum of money died insolvent. Then your father
found that he was so much embarrassed that he thought the wisest and
most honourable course would be to divide what he had amongst his
creditors at once. He gave up everything to them, and was hesitating
what he should do for a living. Just at that time my father died and
left all his little property to me and my brother (