everywhere, and this is the
only comfortable place I could find--where the rates were reasonable
and where the landlady didn't have her nose in everybody's business."

"You don't understand," said he. "This is a bird-cage. Highly gilded,
but a bird-cage."

She had never heard the phrase, but she understood--and instantly she
knew that he was right. She colored violently, sat down abruptly. But
in a moment she recovered herself, and with fine defiance said:

"I don't care. Mrs. Belloc is a kind-hearted woman, and it's as easy
to be respectable here as anywhere."

"Sure," assented he. "But you've got to consider appearances to a
certain extent. You won't be able to find the right sort of a
boarding-house--one you'd be comfortable in. You've got to have a flat
of your own."

"I can't afford it," said Mildred. "I can't afford this, even. But I
simply will not live in a shabby, mussy way."

"That's right!" cried Stanley. "You can't do proper work in poor
surroundings. Some women could, but not your sort. But don't worry.
I'm going to see you through. I'll find a place--right away. You want
to start in at once, don't you?"

"I've got to," said Mildred.

"Then leave it all to me."

"But WHAT am I to do?"

"Sing, if you can. If not, then act. We'll have you on the stage
within a year or so. I'm sure of it. And I'll get my money back, with
interest."

"I don't see how I can accept it," said Mildred very feebly.

"You've got to," said Stanley. "What alternative is there? None. So
let's bother no more about it. I'll consult with those who know, find
out what the thing costs, and arrange everything. You're as helpless
as a baby, and you know it."

Yes, Mildred knew it.

He looked at her with an amused smile. "Come, out with it!" he cried.
"You've got something on your mind. Let's get everything straight--and
keep it that way."

Mildred hung her head.

"You're uneasy because I, a man, am doing this for you, a young woman?
Is that it?"

"Yes," she confessed.

He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and spoke in a brisk,
businesslike way. "In the first place, it's got to be done, hasn't it?
And someone has got to do it? And there is no one offering but me? Am
I right?"

She nodded.

"Then _I_'ve got to do it, and you've GOT to let me. There's logic, if
ever there was logic. A Philadelphia lawyer couldn't knock a hole in
it. You trust me, don't you?"

She was silent.