whining to me. What have I
got? Have you forgot that the ditch and the road completely strapped me?
I haven't any money. There's nothing for you to do but get out of it."

"I can't!" said Elnora desperately. "I've gone on too long. It would
make a break in everything. They wouldn't let me have my diploma!"

"What's the difference? You've got the stuff in your head. I wouldn't
give a rap for a scrap of paper. That don't mean anything!"

"But I've worked four years for it, and I can't enter--I ought to have
it to help me get a school, when I want to teach. If I don't have my
grades to show, people will think I quit because I couldn't pass my
examinations. I must have my diploma!"

"Then get it!" said Mrs. Comstock.

"The only way is to graduate with the others."

"Well, graduate if you are bound to!"

"But I can't, unless I have things enough like the class, that I don't
look as I did that first day."

"Well, please remember I didn't get you into this, and I can't get you
out. You are set on having your own way. Go on, and have it, and see how
you like it!"

Elnora went upstairs and did not come down again that night, which her
mother called pouting.

"I've thought all night," said the girl at breakfast, "and I can't see
any way but to borrow the money of Uncle Wesley and pay it back from
some that the Bird Woman will owe me, when I get one more specimen. But
that means that I can't go to--that I will have to teach this winter, if
I can get a city grade or a country school."

"Just you dare go dinging after Wesley Sinton for money," cried Mrs.
Comstock. "You won't do any such a thing!"

"I can't see any other way. I've got to have the money!"

"Quit, I tell you!"

"I can't quit!--I've gone too far!"

"Well then, let me get your clothes, and you can pay me back."

"But you said you had no money!"

"Maybe I can borrow some at the bank. Then you can return it when the
Bird Woman pays you."

"All right," said Elnora. "I don't need expensive things. Just some kind
of a pretty cheap white dress for the sermon, and a white one a little
better than I had last summer, for Commencement and the ball. I can use
the white gloves and shoes I got myself for last year, and you can
get my dress made at the same place you did that one. They have my
measurements, and do perfect work. Don't get expensive things. It will
be warm so I can go bareheaded."

Then she started to school, but was so tired and discouraged she