ered. There is "A good mother," "A keen
mind," "A strong body," "Love of right and truth," "A good girl
friend"....

"But, Granny dear," said Bess, "one of his helps is 'A good girl friend.'
Has George a girl? I thought he didn't care for girls."

"This is the House of Truth, dear," said the old lady. "I think perhaps
that good girl friend means you, for you have been a good friend to him.
You know our family have always been proud of their education and their
habits of life. I am sure it must have been a good thing for George to
grow up all these years with a good chum like you. He must be a gentleman
if he would be fit to play with the daughter of a lady like your mother.
When I was here before, George had several other pull-backs, but I see he
has conquered them. But come, dear, it is time we were going if I am to
help you out of your difficulty.

"Let me see, you wanted to ask Henry Mann to take you to a party at the
beach. Did you find him there? Do you think your mother will change her
mind when we tell her the truth about the new friend whom you wish to
make? If so, I am ready to try, even though I am not at all sure that a
lady does those things. But things change--things change very much and
perhaps you are right. What said the House of Truth? Shall we invite
him?"

"Oh, Granny, never, never!" cried the girl. "I could never ask any one who
was known as the friend of careless girls. He has so many drawbacks--oh,
no, never."

Just then a voice said, "Good evening, Miss Keats. I hope I haven't
disturbed your nap. One of the girls told me you were very anxious to see
me, so I came up."

And there stood Henry Mann.

For a moment the girl could not answer. The face that had looked so
handsome when it was pointed out to her on the street yesterday now looked
careless and insolent. She wanted to run away and not even answer.

But just at that moment the door opened and her mother came out. She was
dressed so prettily and her voice was soft and sweet as she said, "I think
I haven't met you, but you must be one of my daughter's friends. Will you
be seated?"

"A man must be a gentleman if he would be fit to play with the daughter of
a lady like your mother," thought Bess.

Then she straightened her shoulders and, smiling, said, "Mother, this is
Henry Mann, of whom I spoke to you."

Turning to the boy, who still stood at the top of the steps, she said,
"Thank you so much for calling, Mr. Mann. There has been