rstood that my task would be difficult,
following, as I did, two such popular teachers. I
think, perhaps, that this very fact has made me
nervous; and so--I have not appeared even at my
best. But, oh, I have tried!--you cannot know how
I have tried!

"I am nearly sick with terror for fear I shall
lose my position--and of course _that_ doesn't
help me to be the cool, calm, judicious person in
the chair I ought to be. But it means so much to
me--this place--and if I should lose it, there
would be poor Annie deprived of her comforts
again; for, of course, a failure here would mean
that not for a long time (if ever!) could I get
another like it.

"Forgive me for burdening you with all this, but
it had got to the point where I must speak to some
one. Then, too, I did not know but you could
perhaps tell me why I have failed--I have tried so
hard myself to understand!

"Sometimes I think I'm too lenient. Sometimes I
think I'm too strict. Sometimes I'm so worried for
fear they'll think me too young and inexperienced,
that I don't dare to act myself at all--then I'm
stiffly dignified in a way that I know must be
horrid.

"After all, I think the whole secret of the matter
is--that I'm afraid. If once I could have a
confident assurance that I _am_ doing well, and
that I _am_ winning out--I think I should win out.
I do, truly!

"And now I must stop and go to work. I'm in the
grove, back of the schoolhouse. I often bring my
papers here to correct. I have them with me
to-night; but--I've been writing to you instead of
working. I'll finish this later. But, really,
already I feel a little better. It's done me good,
just to say things to you. Of course, to no one
else could I--"

There was a little more, but Genevieve stopped here. Not until she read
that last sentence did she realize in the least what she was doing.
Then, hurriedly, with flushed cheeks and shamed eyes, she thrust the
letter out of sight under the papers. But there was something besides
shame in her eyes; there was a very real, and a very tender sympathy
for--folks.

"And to think t