-I never shall master them I know. I
think no one could trip me up on spelling, however. When I found a
difficult word in a book I spelled it over for days," and the faint
impression of a smile crossed her lips. "But the meanings puzzle me. It
is hard oftentimes to think of the correct word, and that makes me
afraid to talk."

"I have always had a good many to talk to, and that must make a
difference," and the thought of living almost alone on a mountain, out
of the reach of people, crossed Helen's mind and gave her a shudder.
"Oh, I don't see how you lived so alone!" she cried vehemently.

"It was dreadful after mother was gone. If I could have gone down in
town once in awhile, but there was so much to do, and grandfather always
said he didn't want women folks bothering round when he went anywhere.
Then it was so far to church, though I did go once in a great while when
I had anything to wear. But the girls I had known in school forgot me,
and were married, or busy about other things. And I somehow grew used to
talking to the dumb creatures and the denizens of the woods. I always
kept thinking that something would happen and I'd have a chance. And I
resolved that I would go to school and get an education as mother
wished. But I never thought how hard it would be to begin back like a
child a dozen or so years old. You see grandfather was seventy-six when
mother died, and my vague plan was when he had gone, to sell everything
and go away. I couldn't ever have dreamed of so much money. And now I
don't know what to do with it. Mrs. Davis said it would all come right
when I married some nice man, who would take care of it and manage it
for me, but Mrs. Howard said get some education first, and I would be
better able to know what I wanted. Though I am sure I don't want to be
married."

"The education will certainly be best," Helen returned with the gravity
of twenty. "And I think you ought not be discouraged so soon."

"There is so much more to learn than I had any idea of. And when I look
ahead----"

"Oh, don't look ahead," cried Helen laughingly. "Just live day by day,
'Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof,' and I wonder if the good
will not be sufficient also! It is only about a year ago that I cared
anything for education, I was just a country girl too, and suddenly
roused, I didn't know how I _could_ compass it when a way was opened. I
can have two splendid years, and I mean to crowd them full. I don't know
w