up if they would. I have learned, however," and she
smiled a little, "that you cannot control these matters. Girls' likes
and dislikes are largely impulses of the present mood, and a belief in
self-knowledge, which they outgrow, fortunately. So I have been much
pleased to see you two drift together. Did she tell you her story?"

"Yes--at least she went briefly over it," returned Helen.

"She has not a girl's usual gift of elaboration, and that is a good
quality to miss, though years and experience do mend it. It is
unfortunate to begin life with the idea that you have had more trials or
sorrows or struggles, or even more joys and prosperity than anyone else.
Her life has been hard, but she has let it all drop behind her and wants
to press on to the next best, to something a great deal better;" and an
approving light shone in the elder woman's eyes. "She has a decided gift
for music, for certain kinds of literature, poetry especially, though I
do not think a casual observer would credit her with that. She has some
concise business ideas and works hard at mathematics. Perhaps the
shrewdness is one good quality she inherits from her grandfather. She is
an excellent reader, and it is fortunate that school training can direct
these tastes rather than the gossip and novels of fashionable life.
Although I was absolutely discouraged at first, I feel now that after a
year or two she will compare favorably with the average girl. Of course
we are all fond of the superior girls who do credit to a school, but
they are not very lavishly distributed."

"I am glad she is going to do so well," and Helen's face was bright
with generous emotions. "Only, she keeps looking at girls of her age,
and is rather discouraged because she is so far behind."

"And friendship, contact with other girls, is what she needs. I
sometimes think if girls could only understand all they might do for
each other in the little things of life, the comfort they might be in
some sorrowful moment, the strength in some weak moment, they would
hardly hold aloof in their best qualities and give out the trifles that
are merely husks. I meant this to be a different kind of talk," and a
sweet look pervaded the eyes and crossed the lips, lingering there. "I
wanted to thank you for your interest in her. Of all the girls I had
considered as a friend to her I had not thought of you, perhaps because
you were so much younger. She ought not be much over fourteen either.
And I