d in her
eyes, she beat herself with her fists, she kicked the furniture, and
she broke things. Once she even butted her head against the wall,
uttering language meanwhile that all but caused her companion to swoon.

Mrs. Ring resigned after this final exhibition, but, lacking the
courage to face Allie in a mood like that, she went to Gus Briskow.

"It is simply impossible to remain," she told him. "Already I'm a
physical wreck, for I never get a moment's rest. The salary is
attractive, but Allegheny is too much for me. She saps every ounce of
vitality I have; she keeps me going every hour. And her terrific
tempers are actually--dangerous."

"She don't ever get mad at you, does she?"

"Oh no! And she repents quickly enough. As a matter of fact, I am
afraid she is overdoing her studies, but there's no holding her back."

"You're kinda worked up, Miz' Ring. Mebbe I can make it pleasanter for
you."

"In what way, may I ask?"

"Well, by payin' you more."

"You are generous. The salary we agreed upon isn't low."

"Yes'm--No, ma'am!"

"I wouldn't feel right to accept more."

"Try it, ma'am, for a little while. Mebbe it won't bother you so much
after you get used to it. Allie likes you."

"And I--I _am_ interested in her. She is progressing, too; in fact, I
have never seen anyone learn more rapidly. But--she is so unusual.
Still, perhaps I _am_ the one--perhaps it is my duty, under the
circumstances--"

With this disposition to compromise the father had little difficulty in
dealing, so the daily routine was continued. Allie applied herself to
the cultivation of the ordinary social niceties with the same zeal that
she followed her studies and her physical exercises. Fortunately these
exercises afforded outlet for the impatience and the scorn that she
felt for herself. Otherwise there would have been no living with her.
As it was she showed herself no mercy. Daylight found her stirring, her
Swedish drill she took with a vigor that fairly shook the floor, and,
having finished this, she donned sweater and boots and went for a swift
walk over the hills. At this hour she had the roads to herself and was
glad of it, for she felt ridiculous. At breakfast, although she had a
ravenous appetite, she ate sparingly. The day was spent in reading
aloud, in lessons in deportment, voice modulation, conversation, and
the like; in learning how to enter and how to leave a room, how to
behave at a tea or a reception, how to accept