voice:

"Good-bye, Fuzzy. Bless you! Never say die. Sometimes, you know, it
takes a big thing to open one's eyes. Keep straight ahead from where
you are now, and you'll have no more tumbles." Then the train moved off
and Rhoda lost the last glimpse of her friend in a mist of tears. Dear
Tom! Dear, blunt, kindly, honest Tom; what a strength she had been to
all who knew her--what a strength she was going to be to generations of
girls to come! Rhoda looked forward into the future and prophesied to
herself that she would know no prouder boast than that she had been one
of Tom Bolderston's girls, and had been brought up under her rule!

That evening the occupants of the drawing-room looked up in amaze as a
rustle of silken garments struck their ears, and a stately young lady
came forward with a fan waving in one hand, and masses of ruddy hair
piled high upon her head. Rhoda, of course; and yet, could it be Rhoda?
for with the short skirts and flowing mane the last traces of childhood
had disappeared, and the woman of the future seemed already to stand
before them. Mr Chester gave a quick exclamation, and Rhoda turned to
him and swept a stately curtsey.

"At your service, sir. I thought you might like to see your grown-up
daughter. My new dress came home to-day, and I looked so fine in it
that I was obliged to do up my hair to be in keeping. And I went to
mother's room and stole her pearls and took her very best fan. When
girls come out they always help themselves to their parents' fineries,
so I thought I had better begin at once. Do you like me, dear?"

She looked up at him, half shy, half laughing, and there was silence in
the room while each of the onlookers felt a thrill of unexpected
emotion. It was like looking on at the turning point in a life, and the
girl was so beautiful in her fresh young bloom that it was impossible to
behold her unmoved. The coiled-up hair showed the graceful poise of her
head, the shoulders were smooth and white as satin, the blue eyes had
lost their hard self-confidence, and shone sweet and true. Yes! Rhoda
was going to be a beautiful woman; she was one already, as her father
realised, with a natural pang of regret mingling with his pride. His
eye softened as he laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, my daughter, you are grown-up indeed! I never realised it before.
You had better prepare for the duties of chaperon, mother, for I
foresee that this young lady will keep us