out of it. But I am really
convinced he was right that time, even though he wasn't on my side.
But after I finished college, when they offered me the English
Department in the High School in Mount Mark at seventy-five per, and
when I insisted on coming down here to Centerville to take this
stenographic job with Messrs. Nesbitt and Orchard, at eight a week,
well, the serene atmosphere of our quiet home was decidedly murky for a
while. I said I needed the experience, both stenographic and literary,
and this was my opportunity.

"Aunt Grace was speechless. Prudence wept over me. Fairy laughed at
me. Lark said she just wished you were home to take charge of me and
teach me a few things. But father looked at me again, and thought very
seriously for a while, and said he believed I was right.

"Consequently, I am at Centerville.

"Isn't it dear of father? And so surprising. The girls think he needs
medical attention, and honestly I am a little worried over him myself.
It was so unexpected. Really, I half thought he would 'put his foot
down,' as the Ladies Aiders used to want Prudence to do with us. He
was always resigned, father was, about giving the girls up in marriage,
but every one always said he would draw the line there. He is
developing, I guess.

"Do you remember Nesbitt and Orchard? Mr. Nesbitt was a member of the
church when we lived here, but it was before I was born, so I don't
feel especially well acquainted on that account. But he calls me
Connie and acts very fatherly.

"He is still a member of the church, and they say around town that he
is not a bit slicker outside the church than he was when father was his
pastor. He hurt me spiritually at first. So I wrote to father about
it. Father wrote back that I must be charitable--must remember that
belonging to church couldn't possibly do Mr. Nesbitt any harm, and for
all we knew to the contrary, might be keeping him out of the electric
chair every day of his life. And Mr. Nesbitt couldn't do the
Christians any harm--the Lord is looking after them. And those outside
who point to the hypocrites inside for excuses would have to think up
something new and original if we eliminated the hypocrites on their
account,--'so be generous, Connie,' wrote father, 'and don't begrudge
Mr. Nesbitt the third seat to the left for he may never get any nearer
Paradise than that.'

"Father is just splendid, Carol. I keep feeling that the rest of you
don't reali