broke in eagerly, "That's just like Aunt Mollie,
ain't it? Couldn't no one ever have a finer lady heart than her."

"Indeed, you are right," agreed the teacher heartily. "And that is
the thing that lies at the bottom of it all, Sammy. The lady heart
comes first."

"I won't never forget that," she returned. "I couldn't forget Aunt
Mollie, nohow. Tell me more, Dad."

"Next, the 'sure enough' lady must have a lady mind. She must know
how to think and talk about the things that really matter. All the
fine dresses and jewels in the world can't make a real lady, if
she does not think, or if she thinks only of things that are of no
value. Do you see?"

Again the girl nodded, and, with a knowing smile, answered
quickly, "I know a man like that. And I see now that that is what
makes him so different from other folks. It's the things he thinks
about all to himself that does it. But I've got a heap to learn, I
sure have. I could read alright, if I had something to read, and I
reckon I could learn to talk like you if I tried hard enough. What
else is there?"

Then, continued the shepherd, "A lady will keep her body as strong
and as beautiful as she can, for this is one way that she
expresses her heart and mind. Do you see what I mean?"

Sammy answered slowly, "I reckon I do. You mean I mustn't get
stooped over and thin chested, and go slouching around, like so
many of the girls and women around here do, and I mustn't let my
clothes go without buttons, 'cause I am in a hurry, and I must
always comb my hair, and keep my hands as white as I can. Is that
it?"

"That's the idea," said the shepherd.

Sammy gazed ruefully at a large rent in her skirt, and at a shoe
half laced. Then she put up a hand to her tumbled hair. "I--I
didn't think it made any difference, when only home folks was
around," she said.

"That's just it, my child," said the old man gently. "I think a
'sure enough' lady would look after these things whether there was
anyone to see her or not; just for herself, you know. And this is
where you can begin. I will send for some books right away, and
when they come we will begin to train your mind."

"But the heart, how'll I get a lady heart, Dad?"

"How does the violet get its perfume, Sammy? Where does the rose
get its color? How does the bird learn to sing its song?"

For a moment she was puzzled. Then her face lighted; "I see!" she
exclaimed. "I'm just to catch it from folks like Aunt Mollie, and--and
som