or your ready acquiescence," and Mrs. Aldred's smile told
Helen the thoughtlessness had been condoned.

"I will bring it to you to decide upon----"

"No," the lady replied, "I can trust you to say just what is right and
proper."

Helen's eyes were in a soft mist as she raised them, and picking up her
letter she made a graceful obeisance as she left the room.

Yes, there was the notice. How could she have let it slip from her mind.
She had a vague idea that it really couldn't apply to a man like Mr.
Warfield, but it was the rule and it must be kept. It did take a certain
something out of her life that she could not have described, but she
felt it. He was so interested in her progress. For had he not roused her
and made a scholar out of her? She might never have known what the
hunger meant but for him, and accepted the husks even if under protest.
How much richer and finer all her life would be. She said frankly that
she was sorry, and that she had counted on the letters.

He was annoyed at the foolishness as he termed it. If she were sixteen
instead of fourteen it would have been different.

The days were so full and passed so rapidly to Helen. The autumn came on
in all its glory and splendor. The hills, they were almost mountains,
about Westchester were wonderful in their changing colors, but she
thought nothing could describe those over the river until she began to
read Ruskin, and that brought her nearer Mrs. Van Dorn again.

She and Daisy Bell slipped into a pleasant girl friendship. Helen was
the stronger, more energetic, more ambitious. But then Daisy had only to
be educated, to go home to her parents and take a place in society and
marry. The girls _did_ talk of the kind of husbands they would like and
the wedding journeys they would take. Two of the seniors were really
engaged.

"And you can't tell how many have lovers," Miss Mays said one evening
when several were sitting, curled up on one bed. "Of course you can't
write to _him_ unless you are regularly engaged and your mother
consents. But if I wanted to correspond with anyone, I'd find a way."

"And disobey the rule," declared Helen.

"Oh, a chit like you doesn't know anything about such matters. All is
fair in love and war. And there are times when strategy is commendable.
You find it a great resource in war as you read history."

"But you wouldn't, really, Roxy! Girls are sometimes sent home in
disgrace."

"I didn't say I would. I said I could