Even if she had had the chance, the money for a trip would have been lacking, and to fill Madame's conspicuous place gave her, she realized, a certain importance and authority in the house.

There was opportunity, in a small way, to work out some of her ideas of system and order, and there was sufficient time to think out a definite and practical plan for the future.

Her aim from the first had been, not only to catch on, but to master the details of the business, and she knew that, in spite of Madame's sporadic attempts to keep her in her place, she was gradually making herself felt--she was slowly impressing her individual methods upon the establishment.

Madame was no longer what she once was, and the business was showing it.

She was getting old, she was growing tired, and her naturally careless methods of work were fastening upon her.