“But you see, my dear, that your having a pupil could not be quite equal to Mr. Viertelnote’s doing the same thing.  I mean the one would not quite provide for the other.”

“O no, indeed!  I’m in hopes to have two.  I mean to go and see Mrs. Hadden about Reba; and then I might begin first, you know.  If I could teach two quarters, I could take one.”

“You have thought it all over.  You are quite a little business woman.  Now let us see.  I do like your playing, Ruth.  I think you have really a charming style.  But whether you could impart it,—­that is a different capacity.”

“I am pretty good at showing how,” said Ruth.  “I think I could make her understand all I do.”

“Well; I should be willing to pay twenty dollars a quarter to any lady who would bring Lily forward to where you are; if you can do it, I will pay it to you.  If Mrs. Hadden will do the same, you will have two thirds of Viertelnote’s price.”

“O, that is so nice!” said Ruth, gratefully.  “Then in half a quarter I could begin.  And perhaps in that time I might get another.”

“I shall be exceedingly interested in your getting on,” said Mrs. Marchbanks, as Ruth arose to go.  She said it very much as she might have said it to anybody who was going to try to earn money, and whom she meant to patronize.  But Ruth took it singly; she was not two persons,—­one who asked for work and pay, and another who expected to be treated as if she were privileged above either.  She was quite intent upon her purpose.

If Mrs. Marchbanks had been patron kind, Mrs. Hadden was motherly so.

“You’re a dear little thing!  When will you begin?” said she.

Ruth’s morning was a grand success.  She came home with a rapid step, springing to a soundless rhythm.

She found Rosamond and Barbara and Harry Goldthwaite on the piazza, winding the rope rings with blue and scarlet and white and purple, and tying them with knots of ribbon.

Harry had been prompt enough.  He had got the rope, and spliced it up himself, that morning, and had brought the ten rings over, hanging upon his arms like bangles.

They were still busy when dinner was ready; and Harry stayed at the first asking.

It was a scrub-day in the kitchen; and Katty came in to take the plates with her sleeves rolled up, a smooch of stove-polish across her arm, and a very indiscriminate-colored apron.  She put one plate upon another in a hurry, over knives and forks and remnants, clattered a good deal, and dropped the salt-spoons.

Rosamond colored and frowned; but talked with a most resolutely beautiful repose.

Afterward, when it was all over, and Harry had gone, promising to come next day and bring a stake, painted vermilion and white, with a little gilt ball on the top of it, she sat by the ivied window in the brown room with tears in her eyes.

“It is dreadful to live so!” she said, with real feeling.  “To have just one wretched girl to do everything!”