e "Out-late Book"
before their going. And they were "requested to answer all reasonable
questions of matron, or board of visitors, or duly qualified inspectors,
regarding moral, mental, physical, and commercial well-being and
progress."

Una couldn't resist asking, "I suppose it isn't forbidden to sleep in
our rooms, is it?"

Mrs. Fike looked over her, through her, about her, and remarked: "I'd
advise you to drop all impudence. You see, you don't do it well. We
admit East Side Jews here and they are so much quicker and wittier than
you country girls from Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, and Heaven knows
where, that you might just as well give up and try to be ladies instead
of humorists. Come, we will take a look at the Home."

By now Una was resolved not to let Mrs. Fike drive her away. She would
"show her"; she would "come and live here just for spite."

What Mrs. Fike thought has not been handed down.

She led Una past a series of closets, each furnished with two straight
chairs on either side of a table, a carbon print of a chilly-looking
cathedral, and a slice of carpet on which one was rather disappointed
not to find the label, "Bath Mat."

"These are the reception-rooms where the girls are allowed to receive
callers. _Any_ time--up to a quarter to ten," Mrs. Fike said.

Una decided that they were better fitted for a hair-dressing
establishment.

The living-room was her first revelation of the Temperance Home as
something besides a prison--as an abiding-place for living, eager,
sensitive girls. It was not luxurious, but it had been arranged by some
one who made allowance for a weakness for pretty things, even on the
part of young females observing the rules in a Christian home. There was
a broad fireplace, built-in book-shelves, a long table; and, in wicker
chairs with chintz cushions, were half a dozen curious girls. Una was
sure that one of them, a fizzy-haired, laughing girl, secretly nodded to
her, and she was comforted.

Up the stairs to a marvelous bathroom with tempting shower-baths, a
small gymnasium, and, on the roof, a garden and loggia and basket-ball
court. It was cool and fresh up here, on even the hottest summer
evenings, and here the girls were permitted to lounge in negligees till
after ten, Mrs. Fike remarked, with a half-smile.

Una smiled back.

As they went through the bedroom floors, with Mrs. Fike stalking ahead,
a graceful girl in lace cap and negligee came bouncing out of a door
be