iss Toland's face, from showing mere indulgent interest, took on a
sharper look. She was a quick-witted woman, and this chanced to touch
her in a sensitive spot.

"As for a lady, ladies are made and not born," she said decidedly.
"Don't ever let them fool you. Barbara may run around until she's tired
talking about belonging to the Daughters of Southern Officers; she can
stick a sampler up here, and lend a Copley portrait to a loan exhibition
now and then; but you mark my words, Barbara had to learn things like
any other girl. One sensible mother in this world is worth sixteen
distinguished great-grandmothers!"

Julia said nothing; she began to think it was time for her to go. But
Miss Toland was well launched in a favourite argument.

"Why, look here," said the older woman, who was enjoying herself,
"you're young, you're pretty, you're naturally inclined to choose what
is nice, what is refined. You say you're not a lady--how do you know?
You may take my word for it--Julia, your name is?--Julia, then, that if
you make up your mind to be one, nothing can stop you. Now I've been
thinking while we talked. Why couldn't you come here and try this sort
of thing? You could keep things running smoothly here; you could work
into the girls' clubs, perhaps; no harm to try, anyway. Do you sing?"

Julia had to clear her throat before she could say huskily:

"I can play the piano a little."

"You see--you play. Well, what do you think of it, then?"

"Live here?" stammered Julia.

"Certainly, live right here. I want some one right _here_ with me. You can
arrange your own work, you can read all the books you want, you'll come
in contact with nice people. I'm afraid to be here alone at night very
much, and I've come to the conclusion that we'll never accomplish
anything until I can stay, day out and in. Why don't you try it, anyway?
Telephone your grandmother--sleep right here to-night!"

Julia struggled for absolute control of her facial muscles.

"Here?" she asked, a little thickly.

"Right in here--you can but try it!" Miss Toland urged, throwing open
the door of the immaculate, unused bedroom. Julia looked again at the
fresh white bed, the rug, the bureau. Her own--her own domain! Just what
entering it meant to her she never tried to say, but the moment was a
memorable one in her life. She presently found herself telephoning a
message to the drug store that was nearest her grandmother's home. She
selected a flannelette ni