re of
it, but burning the midnight oil soon began to tell on her appearance.

One morning at breakfast, her father said, "Patty, child, what is the
matter with you? Your eyes look like two holes burnt in a blanket! You
weren't up late last night?"

"Not very," said Patty, dropping her eyes before her father's searching
gaze.

Nothing more was said on the subject, but though Patty hated to do
anything secretly, yet she felt she must continue her night work, as it
was really her only chance.

So that night as she sat studying until nearly midnight, her door slowly
opened, and Nan peeped in. She wore a kimono, and her hair was in a long
braid down her back.

"Patty Fairfield," she said, "go to bed at once! You ought to be ashamed
of yourself, to sit up so late when you know your father doesn't want you
to."

"Now, look here, Nan," said Patty, talking very seriously, "I _have_ to
sit up late like this, because I can't get a minute's time through the
day. You know how it is. There's always company, or something going on,
and I can't wake up early in the morning, and I have to sit up late at
night, even if it does make me tired and sleepy and good for nothing the
next day. Oh, Nan, instead of hindering and making fun of me, and
bothering me all you can, I think you might try to help me!"

Patty threw herself on her knees, and burying her face in Nan's lap,
burst into a convulsive flood of tears.

Nan was thoroughly frightened. She had never before seen Patty cry, and
this was more than crying. It was almost hysterical.

Then, like a flash, Nan saw it all. Overwork and worry had so wrought on
Patty's nerves that the girl was half sick and wholly irresponsible for
her actions.

With a ready tact, Nan patted the golden head, and gently soothed the
excited child.

"Never mind, Patty, darling," she said, "and try to forgive me, won't
you? I fear I have been rather blind to the true state of the case, but I
see more plainly now, and I will help you, indeed I will. I will see to
it that you shall have your hours for study just as you want them, and
you shall not be interrupted. Dear little girl, you're all tired out, and
your nerves are all on edge, and no wonder. Now, hop along to bed, and
you'll see that things will go better after this."

As she talked, Nan had gently soothed the excited girl, and in a quiet,
matter-of-fact way, she helped her prepare for bed, and finally tucked
her up snugly under her down coverl