dent's wife, or a
multi-millionairess who is sitting at home in state to do her shopping
just because she wishes to avoid the vulgar crowds in the stores; eh,
mother dear?"

"Mother dear" sniffed disdainfully.

"Really, Helen," she complained, "you are impossible. One would think
you might have _some_ sympathy, _some_ consideration for my feelings!
There's your brother, now. He's all sympathy. Look at his letter.
Think of that dollar he sent me--just a little thing to give me
happiness. And he's always doing such things. Did n't he remember how I
loved peppermints, and give me a whole box at Christmas?"

Helen did not answer. As well she knew, she did not need to. Her
mother, once started on this subject, asked only for a listener. Wearily
the girl rose to her feet and began to clear the table.

"And it is n't as if he did n't have his hands full, just running over
full with his business and all," continued Mrs. Raymond. "You _know_ how
successful he is, Helen. Now there's that club--what was it, president
or treasurer that they made him? Anyhow, it was _something_; and that
_shows_ how popular he is. And you know every letter tells us of
something new. I 'm sure it is n't any wonder I 'm proud of him; and
relieved, too--I did hope some one of my children would amount to
something; and I 'm sure Herbert has."

There was a pause. Herbert's sister was washing the dishes now,
hurriedly, nervously. Herbert's mother watched her with dissatisfied
eyes.

"Now there's you, Helen, and your music," she began again, after a long
sigh. "You _know_ how disappointed I was about that."

"Oh, but piano practice does n't help to sell goods across the counter,"
observed Helen dully. "At least, I never heard that it did."

"'Sell goods,'" moaned the other. "Always something about selling goods!
Helen, _can't_ you get your mind for one moment off that dreadful store,
and think of something higher?"

"But it's the store that brings us in our bread and butter--and codfish,"
added Helen, half under her breath.

It was a foolish allusion, born of a much-tried spirit; and Helen
regretted the words the moment they had left her lips.

"Yes, that's exactly what it brings--codfish," gloomed Mrs. Raymond.
"I'm glad you at least realize that."

There was no reply. Helen was working faster now. Her cheeks were pink,
and her hands trembled. As soon as possible she piled Mrs. Mason's
dinner dishes neatly on the tray a