able aim, but I
don't know that it was worth injuring your health for. You used to agree
that managers often expected too much from a teacher."

"I'm afraid I had a selfish object," said Agatha, smiling. "I wanted a
better post that will soon be vacant."

"Ambition sometimes deceives one. I know the post you mean and the girl
who's going. It carries duties that wore her out."

"And better pay," said Agatha.

Mrs. Farnam gave her a thoughtful look. "Well, that's plausible; but I
never thought you greedy. Why do you want the extra pay?"

"I have a use for it," Agatha replied with a twinkle. "I don't suppose I
shall carry out my plans, and after all, they are too ridiculous to talk
about. Anyhow, you would think so. You're very practical."

"People are curious," Mrs. Farnam remarked. "I'm willing to admit I'm
practical, but I married and love my husband, while you look romantic
and in many ways are not. You risk your health for money, and I don't
think any man ever roused a tender thought in you. There's Jake, for
example--"

She stopped and Agatha was silent for a few moments, although she was
moved. She was tired and felt lonely and that life was hard. Instinctive
longings that she had fought against awoke. She wanted somebody to
shelter her and brush her troubles away. Mabel had her husband, whom she
loved; but she had chosen a rocky path that she must walk alone.

"I hope Jake is getting on well in British Columbia," she said. "I
suppose you hear from him?"

"He writes to us regularly and is getting on very well. Finds his work
absorbing and sees a chance of promotion, but it's obvious that he's not
satisfied. I don't know if you feel flattered, but he can't forget you."

Agatha stopped her. Jake was Mrs. Farnam's cousin, and had been a
teacher of science until he got a post at a mine. He had helped Agatha
in her studies, and she blamed herself for imagining that common
interests and ambitions accounted for their friendship. In fact, it was
something of a shock when, on getting his new post, Jake had asked her
to marry him.

"I'm not flattered but sorry," she replied. "I liked Jake very much--one
was forced to like him--but after all that doesn't go far enough. And,
you see, I didn't know--"

"I believe you really didn't know. It would be ridiculous to admit this
about any other girl, but, in a way, you're not quite normal. You're too
absorbed in your occupation and haven't a woman's natural feelings. You