d hands in hers, so plump and warm. Her
heartsome cheery voice penetrated deeper into the poor old soul than
anything had done in a long while.

She would owe her a good deal more in time. And she wondered about
taking her abroad now. They could find teachers in plenty.

"Now I must go back to my four other questions. Just pray that I shall
not fail anywhere."

"I have a feeling that you will succeed."

Two of the girls did not get through at four, but begged to stay, and it
seemed hardly worth while to break another day, unless there were some
new applicants. Helen remained. She saw her answers piled up by
themselves. Then Miss Dowling beckoned her.

"You are an excellent student," she exclaimed, "and you have had a very
fine teacher in Mr. Warfield. I think we must get him over here. You
have missed only one question, and you go in with flying colors. I wish
you were to be in my class, but I shall have to wait for you until next
year. You live at the Center? You will have to come up to us."

The girl's eyes sparkled with delight at the commendation, and she
expressed her gratification in a very pretty manner. Miss Dowling was
exceedingly interested in her.

"I like those ambitious girls who are not puffed-up with vanity," she
said to Mr. Steele. "Helen Grant. Do you know any Grants at the
Center?"

"No. And the Center is the dullest of all the Hopes. We must find out
about this bright and shining light. I'll take these papers home and
look them over, and call around about nine."

Miss Dowling nodded.

"It's just too mean for anything!" declared Louise Searing. "I'm not
sure that I shall even squeeze in, I've lost so many marks. I always did
think Mr. Warfield was partial to you, and it isn't fair."

"I've been studying all summer," returned Helen.

"And working at Mrs. Dayton's. For goodness sake what did you do? And I
can tell you it will make a difference with the real High School girls.
Some here at North Hope are very stylish. So it is true you were out
carriage riding half the time?"

The tone was unpleasant, half envious.

"I went out with Mrs. Van Dorn, and read to her, and did little errands.
Her real companion comes to-morrow. And about the middle of September
they are going to Europe."

"Oh!" Louise opened her eyes wide, rather nonplussed. Hope people did
not often go to Europe. And if companions were taken, then it wasn't so
bad to be a companion. Perhaps it wouldn't be wise to begin to s