ina, I wish you would! I think Claudia has a wretched time. Do
you know, the children got hold of the album I gave her for her
birthday, and they scribbled all over it? And Violet didn't even scold
them. Wasn't it trying? She lets them scramble about everywhere and do
what they like. Claudia's so worried, she says her hair's beginning to
fall out."

"I didn't know her hair was falling out. She'd better cut it short, in
that case. She mustn't on any account let that lovely hair be
neglected."

Miss Kingsley, on being appealed to, was deeply interested. She talked
things over with Miss Janet, and they came at once to a conclusion.
There was nothing for it but a good kindergarten training. There were
several open scholarships for a kindergarten college whose principal was
an intimate friend of theirs. They would write about it at once, and
Claudia must go in for the examination. They would make a point of
coaching her specially. In their minds the whole matter was already
decided. It would be a splendid chance for the girl, so they said. That
wise old Greek slave AEsop, who knew human nature so well that his fables
are as true to life now as they were two thousand years ago, tells the
story of a king who wished to fortify his castle. He asked advice, and
the mason recommended bricks, the carpenter wood, and the tanner
leather. Each thought his own trade supreme. The Misses Kingsley were
perfectly sure that Claudia, who was experienced with children, would
succeed admirably in kindergarten work. They even saw visions of her
being established some day at The Gables in the capacity of a mistress.

Claudia, on being introduced to her future prospects, gasped a little.
She acquiesced, but did not look quite as grateful as her friends had
anticipated.

"I'd get away from home, at any rate! And that would be something!" was
all she would say to Lorraine.

"It would be a career!" said Lorraine, fresh from a brainy, bracing
talk with Miss Janet. "Once you've got your training, you'll be
independent and able to earn your own living."

"Um--yes----" Claudia spoke without enthusiasm. "I wonder what the
college would be like? Jolly hard work, I expect!"

"Miss Janet says it's adorable!"

"Oh! There are several scholarships. I wish you'd go in for one and come
too; then we should be together."

It was Lorraine's turn to look blank. It is one thing to recommend a
vocation to a friend, and quite another to take it up yourself.