ident.
You have been ill. What was the trouble?"

"Oh, nothing much. Nerves, I suppose."

"Nerves! And why should a girl like you have nerves?"

"I don't know, I'm sure," I smiled. "I went into book-binding. It's
quite the fad, you know. Some society women take it up for diversion,
but I didn't like it."

"Were you in a hospital? Did your people know? Were you properly cared
for?" Each question that she asked came with a little sharper note of
irritation.

"Yes. Oh, yes. I was properly cared for. I was in a private room. I have
loyal friends here."

"Loyal friends!" scoffed Mrs. Sewall. "Loyal friends indeed! And may I
ask what loyal friend allows you to go about in your present
distressing condition? You are hardly fit to be seen, Miss Vars."

I flushed. "I'm sorry," I said.

"Disregard of one's health is not admirable."

"I'm being very careful," I assured Mrs. Sewall. "If you could but know
the eggs I consume!"

"Miss Vars," inquired Mrs. Sewall, with obvious annoyance in her voice,
"was it you that I saw yesterday crossing Fifth Avenue?"

"With the boxes? It was I," I laughed.

She frowned. "I was shocked. Such occupation is unbecoming to you."

"It is a perfectly self-respecting occupation," I maintained.

The frown deepened. "Possibly. Yes, _self-respecting_, but, if I may say
so, scarcely respecting your friends, scarcely respecting those who have
cared deeply for you--I refer to your family--scarcely respecting your
birth, bringing-up, and opportunities. It was distinctly out of place.
The spectacle was not only shocking to me, it was painful. Not that what
I think carries any weight with you. I have been made keenly aware of
how little my opinions count. But----"

"Oh, please--please, Mrs. Sewall," I interrupted. "Your opinions _do_
count. I've wanted to tell you so before. I was sorry to leave you as I
did. I've wanted to explain how truly I desired to please you. I would
have done anything within my power except----I couldn't do that one
special thing, _anything_ but that."

Mrs. Sewall raised her hand to silence me. There was displeasure in her
eyes. "We will not refer to it, please," she replied. "It is over. I
prefer not to discuss it. It is not a matter to be disposed of with a
few light words. I have not come here to discuss with you what is beyond
your comprehension. Pain caused by a heedless girl, or a steel knife, is
not less keen because of the heartlessness of either instrument.