you know it? You only need pretty clothes to make you a beauty. If you
come with me, I will let you earn some beautiful new clothes."

"You are very kind," said the girl gravely. "I do need new clothes; and,
if I could earn them, that would be all the better." She did not quite
like the woman; yet of course that was foolish.

After a few more turns they stopped in front of a tall brick building with
a number of windows. It seemed to be a good deal like other buildings; in
fact, as she looked up the street, Elizabeth thought there were miles of
them just alike. She tied her horse in front of the door, and went in with
the woman. The woman told her to sit down a minute until she called the
lady of the house, who would tell her more about the school. There were a
number of pretty girls in the room, and they made very free to speak to
her. They twitted her about her clothes, and in a way reminded Elizabeth
of the girls in the school she had just interviewed.

Suddenly she spoke up to the group. An idea had occurred to her. This was
the school, and the woman had not liked to say so until she spoke to the
teacher about her.

"Is this a school?" she asked shyly.

Her question was met with a shout of derisive laughter.

"School!" cried the boldest, prettiest one. "School for scandal! School
for morals!"

There was one, a thin, pale girl with dark circles under her eyes, a sad
droop to her mouth, and bright scarlet spots in her cheeks. She came over