and an irrepressible wave of hurt exasperation swept over her, rousing
her to active resentment. "I must say I think you are treating me
abominably, Caroline. Surely your Aunt Creddle is not a party to
this?" she said in her sharpest tone. And though she would not have
mentioned the blouse or any other benefit bestowed for the world, some
thought of it must have rushed along the taut wires between her own
mind and Caroline's, for the girl instantly flushed crimson and became
defiant again. So the wavering balance crashed down on the side of the
job on the promenade. Her whole future course, indeed, was decided in
that instant, just by a look and a tone--though neither was aware of
what had happened.

"Aunt had no idea I was trying for the place on the prom. until this
morning," said Caroline quietly. "She's very upset about it, and tried
her best to make me come to live with you after all, only I wouldn't.
Nobody can blame her."

Miss Ethel opened her lips to administer a rebuke; then she felt it was
no good and stood looking drearily in front of her. In so doing, her
glance fell on the square board over the privet hedge, and that seemed
somehow the visible sign of everything else that was happening in her
life. Everything was changed. Without another word she turned back
into the house, telling herself that it was of no use to fight against
change; but at the bottom of her soul, she knew she _would_ fight, so
long as there was breath left in her.

"Stop a minute, Miss Ethel," said Caroline. "I am very sorry indeed I
couldn't let you know before, and I have nothing against you or the
place. It's only that I don't want to be a servant at all. Everybody
must do the best they can for themselves in these days."

"I understand that you are like the rest of them. You want to go
gadding about every night, no doubt," said Miss Ethel.

"And if I do?" said Caroline. "Where's the harm in it? Of course I
want my freedom, Miss Ethel. We all do. That's why there aren't any
servants to be had. You're free yourself and always have been. That's
why you don't understand."

Miss Ethel felt a groping thought in the back of her mind. She--free!
The long chain seemed to rattle through the empty years since childhood
as she paused, though she thought she only heard the wind in the
branches. "Oh, well; I suppose it is no use my saying any more. I
trust for Mrs. Creddle's sake that you may be successful in your new