for the first time. Barbara
laughed for sheer pleasure.

"What do you think of it?"

"I will buy it as it stands," said her father, "on your own terms."

"If you think it's good now," said Blizzard quietly, "wait till it's
finished."

"If I had done it," said Dr. Ferris, "I wouldn't dare touch it."

"Yes, you would," said Barbara, "if you knew that you could make it
better. It's still a beginning."

"When do you expect to finish?"

"I'm going to keep on working until I know that I've done the best I
can. We may be months on it."

Blizzard smiled secretly, and Dr. Ferris managed to conceal his
annoyance.

"I wish, my dear," he said, "that I had taken you more seriously in the
beginning. But it is not too late to get some advantage by studying in
Paris and Rome."

"I don't believe it's ever too late for that," said Barbara, "and of
course I've always been crazy for the chance, but knowing how
you felt--"

"Say the word," said her father, "and you shall go to-morrow."

Blizzard's face was like stone; he felt that his high hopes were on a
more precarious footing than ever. If she had the whim, Barbara would go
abroad, far beyond the reach of even his long arms.

"You could finish your bust any time," said Dr. Ferris persuasively.

But Barbara shook her head with complete decision. "A bird in the hand,"
she said, "is worth two in the bush. And--I hope I'm wrong--but I have
the conviction that this head is going to be the best thing I shall ever
do. I can look at it quite impersonally, because half the time it seems
to model itself. _I_ think it's going to be good. If it is good, it
will be one of those lucky series of accidents that sometimes happen to
undeserving but lucky people."

Dr. Ferris sighed inwardly, but the expression of his face did not
change. "Do you mind if I stay?" he asked. "I think it's time I knew
what you look like when you are at work, don't you?"

"_High_ time!" exclaimed Barbara. "I'll just get into my apron." She
went into the next room and closed the door.

"Your innocents abroad," said the legless man, "wasn't a success." His
face was a jeer.

XV

"Barbara," said her father when they had finished dinner, "I made a
threat this morning, and I'm going to keep it. If you have no especial
objection, will you come into the library?"

Her face was radiant; he had been praising her work for the tenth time.
"It sounds," she said, "as if I was going to be whipped. That was