“Next, the ‘sure enough’ lady must have a lady mind.  She must know how to think and talk about the things that really matter.  All the fine dresses and jewels in the world can’t make a real lady, if she does not think, or if she thinks only of things that are of no value.  Do you see?”

Again the girl nodded, and, with a knowing smile, answered quickly, “I know a man like that.  And I see now that that is what makes him so different from other folks.  It’s the things he thinks about all to himself that does it.  But I’ve got a heap to learn, I sure have.  I could read alright, if I had something to read, and I reckon I could learn to talk like you if I tried hard enough.  What else is there?”

Then, continued the shepherd, “A lady will keep her body as strong and as beautiful as she can, for this is one way that she expresses her heart and mind.  Do you see what I mean?”

Sammy answered slowly, “I reckon I do.  You mean I mustn’t get stooped over and thin chested, and go slouching around, like so many of the girls and women around here do, and I mustn’t let my clothes go without buttons, ’cause I am in a hurry, and I must always comb my hair, and keep my hands as white as I can.  Is that it?”

“That’s the idea,” said the shepherd.

Sammy gazed ruefully at a large rent in her skirt, and at a shoe half laced.  Then she put up a hand to her tumbled hair.  “I—­I didn’t think it made any difference, when only home folks was around,” she said.

“That’s just it, my child,” said the old man gently.  “I think a ‘sure enough’ lady would look after these things whether there was anyone to see her or not; just for herself, you know.  And this is where you can begin.  I will send for some books right away, and when they come we will begin to train your mind.”

“But the heart, how’ll I get a lady heart, Dad?”

“How does the violet get its perfume, Sammy?” Where does the rose get its color?  How does the bird learn to sing its song?”

For a moment she was puzzled.  Then her face lighted; “I see!” she exclaimed.  “I’m just to catch it from folks like Aunt Mollie, and--and someone else I know.  I’m just to be, not to make believe or let on like I was, but to be a real lady inside.  And then I’m to learn how to talk and look, like I know myself to be.”  She drew a long breath as she rose to go.  “It’ll be mighty hard, Dad, in some ways; but it’ll sure be worth it all when I get out ’mong the folks.  I’m mighty thankful to you, I sure am.  And I hope you won’t never be sorry you promised to help me.”

As the girl walked swiftly away through the thickening dusk of the evening, the shepherd watched her out of sight; then turned toward the corral for a last look at the sheep, to see that all was right for the night.  “Brave, old fellow,” he said to the dog who trotted by his side; “are we going to make another mistake, do you think?  We have made so many, so many, you know.”  Brave looked up into the master’s face, and answered with his low bark, as though to declare his confidence.  “Well, well, old dog, I hope you are right.  The child has a quick mind, and a good heart; and, if I am not mistaken, good blood.  We shall see.  We shall see.”