pupils. She's a little thing, bright enough in her way, but she
has not much initiative, not strong enough for the work, and she has
not enough spunk. She'll never lead the minds of school children
anywhere that will greatly benefit them."

"And your deduction is--"

"That she would make you a kind, careful, obedient maid, who is capable
enough to be taught to wash your hair and manicure you with deftness,
and who would serve you for respect as well as hire. I think it would
be a fine arrangement for you and good for her."

"This surely is kind of you," said Mrs. Jardine. "I'll keep strict
watch of Jennie Weeks. If I could find a really capable maid here and
not have to wire John to bring one, I'd be so glad. It does so go
against the grain to prove to a man that he has a right to be more
conceited than he is naturally."

As they ate lunch Kate said to Mrs. Jardine: "I noticed one thing this
morning that is going to be balm to my soul. I passed many teachers
and summer resorters going to the lecture halls and coming from them,
and half of them were bareheaded, so my state will not be remarkable,
until I can get another hat."

"'God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform,'" laughingly
quoted Mrs. Jardine. "You thought losing that precious hat was a
calamity; but if you hadn't lost it, you probably would have slept
soundly while I died across the hall. My life is worth the price of a
whole millinery shop to me; I think you value the friendship we are
developing; I foresee I shall get a maid who will not disgrace my in
public; you will have a full summer here; now truly, isn't all this
worth many hats?"

"Of course! It's like a fairy tale," said Kate. "Still, you didn't
see the hat!"

"But you described it in a truly graphic manner," said Mrs. Jardine.

"When I am the snowiest of great-grandmothers, I shall still be telling
small people about the outcome of my first attempt at vanity," laughed
Kate.

The third morning dawned in great beauty, a "misty, moisty morning,"
Mrs. Jardine called it. The sun tried to shine but could not quite
pierce the intervening clouds, so on every side could be seen exquisite
pictures painted in delicate pastel colours. Kate, fresh and rosy,
wearing a blue chambray dress, was a picture well worth seeing. Mrs.
Jardine kept watching her so closely that Kate asked at last: "Have
you made up your mind, yet?"

"No, and I am afraid I never shall," answered Mrs.