But never in those weeks of work did she catch a suggestion of "freshness." He was her boss, and at times her friend in a fatherly fashion--that was all.

She worked hard, overcame her awkwardness, was punctual, laboured to please him.

And he was not slow to praise.
"You're a smart young goil," he said more than once.

"Keep on--it's great--it suits me fine." And despite the monotonous bleak detail of her life in that room, Ethel grew steadily happier there.

For she was gaining confidence fast, she was living up to her ideals.