a
convenience to serve her own purposes. Last night she had learned that
Linda had a brain, that she had wit, that she could say things to which
men of the world listened with interest. She began to watch Linda.
She appraised with deepest envy the dark hair curling naturally on her
temples. She wondered how hair that curled naturally could be so thick
and heavy, and she thought what a crown of glory would adorn Linda's
head when the day came to coil those long dark braids around it and
fasten them with flashing pins. She drew some satisfaction from the
sunburned face and lean figure before her, but it was not satisfaction
of soul-sustaining quality. There was beginning to be something
disquieting about Linda. A roundness was creeping over her lean frame; a
glow was beginning to color her lips and cheek bones; a dewy look could
be surprised in her dark eyes occasionally. She had the effect of a
creature with something yeasty bottled inside it that was beginning to
ferment and might effervesce at any minute. Eileen had been so surprised
the previous evening and again before dinner, that she made up her mind
that hereafter one might expect almost anything from Linda. She would no
longer follow a suggestion unless the suggestion accorded with her sense
of right and justice. It was barely possible that it might be required
to please her inclinations. Eileen's mind worked with unbelievable
swiftness. She tore at her subject like a vulture tearing at a feast,
and like a vulture she reached the vitals swiftly. She prefaced her
question with a dry laugh. Then she leaned forward and asked softly:
"Linda, dear, why haven't you told me?"

Linda's eyes were so clear and honest as they met Eileen's that she
almost hesitated.

"A little more explicit, please," said the girl quietly.

"WHO IS HE?" asked Eileen abruptly.

"Oh, I haven't narrowed to an individual," said Linda largely "You have
noticed a flock of boys following me from school and hanging around the
front door? I have such hosts to choose from that it's going to take a
particularly splendid knight on a snow-white charger--I think 'charger'
is the proper word--to capture my young affections."

Eileen was satisfied. There wasn't any he. She might for a short time
yet cut Linda's finances to the extreme limit. Whenever a man appeared
on the horizon she would be forced to make a division at least
approaching equality.

Linda followed Eileen to the living room and sat do