"I think it's rather dark. Bring it over here."

"Yes, that's better. No one asks Miss Grant to sit down."

"'No stars were shining in the sky--
There were no stars to shine.'
No chairs were idly standing round,
In schools they never do abound,"

laughed Daisy Bell. "Miss Grant, sit on the bed. It won't break down."

"Oh, I don't mind," returned Helen.

"What I am to do with all these things!" moaned Daisy, glancing
helplessly about.

"Miss Grant has begun sensibly. She did not cart a lot of truck away
from home."

Helen had a mind to say humorously "There was no truck to cart," but two
others began to talk at once, and she wondered how they could say such
bright merry things. It seemed as if she had never seen real girls
before.

Then Daisy finished up and they went down on the big back porch where
chairs were plenty and hammocks were swung. Helen was introduced to
another bevy of girls, some quite young ladies it seemed. They all went
in to supper presently, and Helen found herself next to Daisy Bell. The
six girls at this table were all young. Afterwards they went out of
doors again and Miss Aldred joined them, welcoming several of the new
arrivals personally. She had a very sweet face without being really
pretty. She came over to Helen after a few moments and said in a low
tone. "You are Mrs. Van Dorn's _protegee_. I hope you will be very happy
among us."

"Oh, I am sure I shall," returned Helen.

At nine there was a hymn sung and a brief prayer. Then the girls
dispersed, and at ten everybody was in bed.

CHAPTER X

BEGINNING ANEW

Helen went to her room, saying good-night to a group of girls. She
crossed over to her window and stood there many minutes. Oh, a picture
like this could never be painted. The moon had come up and the tree-tops
were clusters of frosted jewels. Such little nooks of almost black
shade, such translucent green where the branches were thin. And the
meadows, and the far-off fields, the houses within range! Was she far
away in some unknown region? Was this a book she had been reading and
would she shut it up and find herself in Hope again?

There was such a sweetness and newness and beauty about it all, such a
glow in her heart, speeding through every nerve at the wonderful
happening. This lovely home, these pretty, merry girls, music, books,
and a kind of living that filled and satisfied. Six months ago she was
Helen Grant, was she really someone else now