a week, while you're occupied with your lessons."

Christine looked aghast. "Oh, Patty!" she said. "Then what am I to do? I
thought you'd say, yes, I could earn that sum easily."

Again Patty wanted to laugh. A month ago she would have said that very
thing.

"Christine," she said, gently, "listen to me. We Fairfields and Mr.
Hepworth all take an interest in you and in your career. We all feel sure
you will yet be a great artist. Of course, our belief is founded on Mr.
Hepworth's assertions, but we know he is capable of judging. Now you must
have that year of study, and by that time Mr. Hepworth feels sure you can
earn quite a lot of money by illustrating, and whatever he thinks goes!"

"Well," said Christine, as Patty paused, uncertain how to proceed.

"Well, you see," went on Patty, suddenly deciding that the plain,
outspoken facts were best, "father has offered to pay your board for a
year at some nice, pleasant boarding-house, and----Mercy! _What's_ the
matter?"

For Christine had turned first a blazing, fiery red, and then as white as
chalk, and seemed about to tumble off her chair.

"Brace up there!" cried Patty, shaking her by the shoulder. "Don't you
faint or do anything silly! I take it all back. Father wouldn't do such a
thing!"

"You misunderstand!" said Christine, smiling faintly through now rapidly
falling tears. "I almost fainted from sheer gladness."

"Oh! I thought you were angry and offended and insulted and mad as hops,
and everything like that!"

"Oh, no!" cried the other. "Why, Patty, it isn't charity; it's great,
big, splendid kindness, and it's just a loan, you understand. I can pay
it back in a couple of years after I once begin to earn money. Patty, you
don't know how sure I am of my own ability now that I understand my
limitations. I can't explain it, but I see success ahead as surely as I
see the blue sky out of that window!"

Christine gazed out of the window with rapt eyes, as if she saw visions
of the fame and glory that were yet to be her portion.

"You duck!" cried Patty, embracing her. "You're just splendiferous!
That's the loveliest way you could have taken father's offer. He is
great, big, splendid kindness personified, and I'm so glad you see it."

That evening Mr. Fairfield ratified Patty's statements and definitely
offered to pay Christine's board bills for a year.

To Patty's surprise, Christine showed no shyness or agitation as she
answered him.

Only Nan understoo