anger, she resumed:

"I infer from the Doctor's letter, that you are a gifted person. In
what lines do your talents run?"

"Perhaps I should not lay claim to talent, but I am, by grace of study,
a good musician; and I draw and paint, at least with facility. At one
time I supported my mother and myself by singing in a choir, but
diphtheria closed that avenue of work. With the restoration of health,
I think I have recovered my voice. I am an expert needle woman, and can
embroider well, especially on fine linen."

"Do you feel competent to teach a class in 'water color', in our Art
School? Our aquarelle Sister is threatened with amaurosis, and the
oculist prohibits all work at present."

"You can form an opinion of my qualifications by examining some
sketches which are in my trunk. I have furnished several designs for
the 'Society of Decorative Art', and have sold a number of painted
articles at the Woman's Exchange."

"Then I think you have only to step into a vacant niche, and supply a
need which was beginning to perplex us. During the latter part of
September, an International Scientific Congress will be held in this
city, and one of our patrons, Mr. Brompton, who expects to entertain
the distinguished foreign delegates, has given us an order for dinner
cards for eight courses, and each set for twenty-four covers. As nearly
as we can comprehend the design, his intention is to represent the
order of creation in fish, game, fruits and flowers; and each card will
illustrate some special era in geology and zoology. The cream and ices
set are expected to show the history of Polar regions as far as known,
and at the conclusion of the banquet, each guest will be presented with
a velvet smoking cap, to which must be attached a card representing
'scientific soap-bubbles pricked by the last scientists' junta'. Now
while the 'Anchorage's' cultured art standard claims to be as high as
any, East, we should scarcely venture to fill this order, had not two
of the professors in our University, promised to map out the order, and
furnish some dots in the way of engravings, which will aid the
accomplishment of the work; and we are particularly desirous of
pleasing our patron, from whom the 'Anchorage' expects a bequest. If
you think you can successfully undertake a portion of this order, given
us by Mr. Brompton, we shall make you doubly welcome."

"I think I may safely promise satisfactory work in the line you
designate; and at le