s, Miss Pat. I simply haven't the
ghost of a show, and you know it."

Patricia was silenced, though unconvinced. "Don't you let any of those
hyenas see it, all the same," she cautioned. "I know them better than
you do. They'd rush another version in before yours, and then where
would you be?"

"I don't believe anyone would be so low minded!" cried Elinor, shocked
and reproachful. "How can you say such things, Miss Pat?"

"Take my advice, my dear," grinned Patricia. "You're too good to see
through some of those fakes, and this is one instance when my eyes are
clearer than yours. It isn't often I can give you points, so do be
grateful. Don't let those long-haired boys get a glimpse of it, or
it's all up with you."

Elinor promised, smiling at Patricia's vehemence, and went off with her
canvas, securely wrapped against curious eyes, held firmly in one
gray-gloved hand.

Patricia looked after her with loving pride. "How pretty she is, and
how clever," she thought tenderly. "And the best part of it is that
she doesn't know what an adorable dear she is. I hope she gets an
honorable mention, even if she can't hit the prize. She deserves a lot
of good times, after all those lean years when she took such good care
of us."

When Patricia came home from the library at half-past five, she was
surprised to find Elinor stretched on the couch, with a thick
comfortable drawn up to her chin, and her face gray and haggard.

"What in the world--" she began in alarm, but Elinor silenced her
questioning with a weak wave of one tired hand.

"I'm not really sick," she said, in a faint tone, as Patricia cuddled
down on the floor beside her and took the chilly hand in her warm one.
"I have one of my old headaches. I forgot to get any lunch. I had
just put the key in my locker, when everything grew black and I'd have
collapsed if Doris Leighton hadn't helped me to a chair. She gave me
some milk and got my things for me, and when I felt well enough, she
came over here with me. She's certainly the sweetest thing. She had
to miss getting her criticism, too. Mr. Benton had just gone in when I
crumpled up."

"She's a perfect angel," cried Patricia, her heart warming at the
thought of Doris' genuine sweetness of nature. "If Miss Jinny really
had known her, she'd been the last to suspect her."

"She's coming over after life class," Elinor went on, closing her eyes
wearily. "I found I'd forgotten my keys when I got home,