r vigorously. "How about
this new girl--what's her name?--Myrtle. She's one of those thin, limp
ones, isn't she? Try her."

"I will," said Emma. "You're right. I'm not beaten yet. I've had to
fight for everything worth while in my life. I'm superstitious about
it now. When things come easy I'm afraid of them." Then, to the
stock-girl, "Annie, tell Myrtle I want to see her."

Silence fell again upon the three. Myrtle, very limp, very thin, very
languid indeed, roused them at her entrance. The hopeful look in
Emma's eyes faded as she beheld her. Myrtle was so obviously limp, so
hopelessly new.

"Annie says you want me to take Gertie's place," drawled Myrtle,
striking a magazine-cover attitude.

"I don't know that you are just the--er--type; but perhaps, if you're
willing----"

"Of course I didn't come here as a model," said Myrtle, and sagged on
the other hip. "But, as a special favor to you I'm willing to try
it--at special model's rates."

Emma ran a somewhat frenzied hand through her hair.

"Then, as a special favor to me, will you begin by trying to stand up
straight, please? That debutante slouch would kill a queen's
coronation costume."

Myrtle straightened, slumped again.

"I can't help it if I am willowy"--listlessly.

"Your hair!" Myrtle's hand went vaguely to her head. "I can't have you
wear it that way."

"Why, this is the French roll!" protested Myrtle, offended.

"Then do it in a German bun!" snapped Emma. "Any way but that. Will
you walk, please?"

"Walk?"--dully.

"Yes, walk; I want to see how you----"

Myrtle walked across the room. A groan came from Emma.

"I thought so." She took a long breath.

"Myrtle, listen: That Australian crawl was necessary when our skirts
were so narrow we had to negotiate a curbing before we could take it.
But the skirt you're going to demonstrate is wide. Like that! You're
practically a free woman in it. Step out! Stride! Swing! Walk!"

Myrtle tried it, stumbled, sulked.

Emma, half smiling, half woeful, patted the girl's shoulder.

"Oh, I see; you're wearing a tight one. Well, run in and get into the
skirt. Miss Loeb will help you. Then come back here--and quickly,
please."

The three looked at each other in silence. It was a silence brimming
with eloquent meaning. Each sought encouragement in the eyes of the
other--and failed to find it. Failing, they broke into helpless
laughter. It proved a safety-valve.

"She may