. Yes--
thank you. Pleased to have seen you."

Theo rose to her feet a-smart with mortification. To be recommended to
the _Companion_, and advised to cut down her masterpiece for the
approval of its twopenny-halfpenny editor, was humiliation indeed for
the would-be contributor to the _Casket_. She followed Mr Hammond to
the door, and held out her hand in silence, her only desire being to end
the painful interview at once. But the smitten look on the young face,
the sudden collapse of the former audacious complacency, were too marked
to pass unnoticed. The editor looked at her, and recalled his own
youth, when a kind word was as a magic wand, and a harsh one shut the
door so hopelessly against a cherished dream. He gave her hand an
encouraging pressure.

"You have the stuff in you; you have the stuff! Work hard, and when you
have served your apprenticeship come back to me, and I'll help you all I
can. Send me one MS in three months--one, remember. If you send more I
sha'n't read them. When one is accepted you will have reached the first
rung of the ladder. No, don't thank me! I will accept nothing from
you, nor from any one else, that does not deserve a place on its own
merits. Good-morning."

His eyes fell on the roll of paper in her hand, and he pointed to it
with an outstretched finger.

"Don't--er--don't overdo it," he said meaningly. "Don't try to be too
clever."

Then the door shut, and Theo groped her way down the stairs. Her cheeks
were crimson; she beat the banisters savagely with the paper roll.
Jack-in-office looked out of his open door and grinned to himself in
amused understanding. He had seen "them" look like that before.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

VISITORS ARRIVE.

Theo's pride made her represent the interview with Mr Hammond in its
most favourable light to her sisters. He was satisfied that she had the
makings of a successful author, was anxious to consider MSS from time to
time, and had suggested a likely home for the present story. The
future, in fact, was assured, but a period of probation must necessarily
elapse while she served what he called her "apprenticeship." The girls
appeared duly impressed, and Theo felt with satisfaction that this
verdict from a high authority would go far towards procuring for her
that respect and admiration which it is so difficult to obtain from the
members of one's own family.

"He advises me to read a great deal, to study the styles of the best