rly, and
with shining eyes and pink cheeks, about her own aims and ambitions.

Mr. Hepworth was responsive, and advised her on some minor points, but
the great question of her art education in New York was not touched upon
that first evening.

Christine had grown almost gay in her chatter, when Kenneth was
announced. Like a sensitive plant at a human touch, she lost all her
poise, her face turned white, and her lips quivered as she braced herself
for the ordeal of meeting a stranger.

"Oh!" thought Patty, almost disgusted at this foolishness, "she is the
limit!"

But Nan appreciated more truly the real state of the case, and knew that
Christine had borne just about all she could, and that owing to physical
fatigue and mental strain her nerves were just about ready to give way.

"How do you do, Kenneth?" said Nan, airily. "Too bad you didn't come
earlier. I am just taking our little guest away from this admiring crowd,
who are tiring her all out with their admiration. She may just say
'howdy' to you, and then I'm going to carry her off. Miss Farley, this is
our Kenneth--Mr. Harper."

Stimulated by Nan's support and by the sudden chance for release,
Christine managed to acknowledge the introduction prettily enough, and
then gladly let Nan take her upstairs to bed.

"I'm sorry I'm so horrid," said the girl, as Nan helped her take off her
gown.

"Nonsense!" replied Nan, cheerily. "You weren't horrid a bit. You looked
lovely and behaved like a little lady. Your nerves are overwrought, and I
don't wonder. Just tumble into bed, dearie, and forget everything in all
the world, except that you're among warm friends."

Nan had most comforting ways, and soon Christine forgot her troubles in a
happy sleep.

Meantime, Kenneth was admiring her sketches. "Whew!" he said, "she's a
genius all right. But such a shy little mouse never can succeed as an
artist."

"Yes, she will!" declared Patty. "Her shyness will wear off in New York.
I'm going to eradicate it from her make-up somehow, and then we're going
to make a famous artist of her."

"You can be a great help to her, Patty," said Mr. Hepworth. "If any one
makes Christine think she can do things, she can do them."

"Yes, I see that already," agreed Patty, "and I'm going to be the one to
make her think she can do them."

"Huh!" teased Kenneth. "You think you can make anybody think they think
anything!"

"Sure!" said Patty, complacently.

"Well, don't teach Miss Farl