"There's no excuse for me except that I've had so much hard luck, and everything seems to be going to pieces under me." Selina stopped sobbing.

"I told a story when I came to you and said I'd had three years' experience," moaned she, not to be outdone in honorable generosity.

"It was only three months as lady's maid, and not much of a lady, neither." "I don't in the least care," Margaret assured her.

"I'm not strictly truthful myself at times, and I do all sorts of horrid things." "But that's natural in a lady," objected Selina, "where there ain't no excuse for me that have only my character." Margaret was careful not to let Selina see her smile in appreciation of this unconsciously profound observation upon life and morals.

"Never mind," said she; "you're going to be a good maid soon.