w she
looked keenly at her mother to see if this request was but an attempt to
create a diversion. But the drawn look was sufficient. She hastily
measured out the medicine, and as hastily left the room saying, "I
will send Pinsett to you at once."

Pinsett was Mrs. Haberton's maid, who was speedily upon the spot to deal
with the invalid.

But Claudia had withdrawn to her own room, where she was soon deep in a
pamphlet upon the social position of Woman, her true Rights in the
World, and the noble opportunities for Serving Mankind outside the home.

[Sidenote: Wanted--a Career]

"Ah," said Claudia to herself, "if I could only find some occupation
which would give a purpose to existence--something which would make me
really useful!"

After all, was there any reason why she should not? There was Eroica
Baldwin, who had become a hospital nurse, and wore the neatest possible
costume with quite inimitable grace. It might be worth while asking her
a few questions. It was true she had never much cared for Eroica; she
was so tall and strong, so absurdly healthy, and so intolerant of one's
aspirations. Still, her experience might be of use.

There was Babette Irving--a foolish name, but it was her parents' fault;
they had apparently thought she would always remain an infant in arms.
Her father had married again, and Babette was keeping house with another
woman of talent.

[Illustration: HER VERY YOUTH PLEADED FOR HER.]

Babette had taken to the pen. Her very youth at first pleaded for her
with editors, and she got some work. Then more came; but never quite
enough. Now she wrote stories for children and for the "young person,"
conducted a "Children's Column" in a weekly paper, supplied "Answers to
Correspondents" upon a startling variety of absurd questions, and just
contrived to live thereby.

Babette's friend had been reared in the lap of luxury until a woeful
year in the City made her father a bankrupt, and sent her to earn her
living as a teacher of singing. They ought to have some advice to give.

Then there was Sarah Griffin--"plain Sarah," as some of the unkind had
chosen to call her at school. She was one of nine girls, and when her
father died suddenly, and was found to have made but poor provision for
his family, she had been thankful to find a place in a shop where an
association of ladies endeavoured to get a sale for the work of
"distressed gentlewomen."

She also ought to know something of the world. Per