don't mind asking me. It's much better for me to look after
any girls that need help than it is for you, because girls
of that sort are so likely to impose upon a young man's
sympathies.

My cousin has been telling me how you have been looking
after some of the work of a student who is majoring in
sociology, so I'm beginning to understand why you took this
girl up. I do hope you'll let me help. Suppose you run over
this evening and we can talk it over. I'm giving up two
whole engagements to stay at home for you, so I hope you
will properly appreciate it, and if anything hinders your
coming, would you mind calling up and letting me know?

Hoping to see you this evening,
Your true friend and fellow-worker,
GILA DARE.

The letter struck a false note in the harmony of the day. It annoyed
Courtland beyond expression that he had made such a blunder as to send
Gila after Bonnie. He could not understand why Gila had not had better
discernment than to think Bonnie an object of charity. His indignation
was still burning over the trouble and peril her action had brought to
Bonnie. Yet he hated to have his opinion of Gila shaken. He had arranged
it in his mind that she was a sweet and lovely girl, one in every way
similar to Solveig the innocent, and he did not care to change it. He
tried to remember Gila's conventional upbringing, and realize that she
had no conception of a girl out of her own social circle other than as a
menial to whom to condescend. The vision of her loveliness in rose and
silver, with her prayer-book "in her 'kerchief" was still dimly forcing
him to be at least polite and accept her letter of apology for her
failure, as he could but suppose it was sincerely meant.

Then all at once a new fact dawned upon him. The invitation had been for
Saturday evening! This was Sunday evening! And now what was he to do? He
might call her up and apologize, but what could he say. Bill Ward might
have told her by this time that he knew the letter had been received. A
blunt confession that he had forgotten to read it might offend, yet what
else could he do? It was most annoying!

He went to the telephone as soon as he reached the college. The fellows
had already gone down to the evening meal. He could hear the clink of
china and silver in the distant dining-room. It was a good time to
'phone.

A