help feeling as if I was only
one of the many to her."

Such little speeches with the utmost apparent good nature fell heavily
on Daisy Bell's heart.

There were many things to attend to beside school-girl differences,
which were always happening among pupils. Easter was late, and then
every day counted to those who expected promotion as well as the
graduates.

Still there were some splendid rambles over on the other side of the
river, some rowing parties, delightful lessons in out-of-door botany,
and, oh, the plans for summer! There would be eight graduates among the
boarders, seven from the day scholars. Miss Reid was going abroad for a
year at painting, Miss Downs to study music at Leipsic, Miss Bigelow to
enter an art school in New York, three to go to college, one to be
married. Most of the Senior B would step into the A division, and every
class would be pushed up.

Helen could have gone in the higher division at Easter. She had studied
not only with a will, but an eager interest in so many things that she
wondered how girls could dawdle along. Still, if they had no aim, if it
was merely to get through these intervening years, looking forward to
pleasure, society, and marriage, perhaps it _might_ be sufficient. Her
future was rather doubtful, even to herself. There were suggestions
about the more weighty studies from Mrs. Van Dorn, as if Helen would
hardly need them. But she did it because she liked them. She wanted to
go to the foundation, to know on just what her structure stood, there
was nothing negative about her. One day Miss Grace said:

"Miss Grant, you would make a most excellent teacher. You are so direct
and so simple, you waste no time, and you evince so much interest in the
branches you like. I see your influence on two pupils, Miss Bell, who is
a sweet, bright girl, but not in love with study, and mother and I feel
really indebted to you for your interest in Miss Craven. When she can
once venture out of her shell with the consciousness that she is not so
different from the others, the Rubicon will be passed. I do believe she
will do it. I am counting a good deal on next year."

"I am glad if I help ever so little," returned Helen with shining eyes,
as a soft color transfused her fair face. "And since one and another
has been very good to me, I ought to pass the kindness on to someone
else."

"'Freely ye have received, freely give.' I am glad that purpose has
taken root. There are so many thi