"To begin at the beginning, then, you would be surprised how sensible
father is turning out. I can hardly understand it. You remember when
I insisted on studying stenography, Aunt Grace and Prue, yes, and all
the rest of you, were properly shocked and horrified, and thought I
ought to teach school because it is more ministerial. But I knew I
should need the stenography in my writing, and father looked at me, and
thought a while, and came right out on my side. And that settled it.

"Of course, when I wanted to cut college after my second year so I
could get to work, father talked me out of it. But I am really
convinced he was right that time, even though he wasn't on my side.
But after I finished college, when they offered me the English
Department in the High School in Mount Mark at seventy-five per, and
when I insisted on coming down here to Centerville to take this
stenographic job with Messrs. Nesbitt and Orchard, at eight a week,
well, the serene atmosphere of our quiet home was decidedly murky for a
while. I said I needed the experience, both stenographic and literary,
and this was my opportunity.

"Aunt Grace was speechless. Prudence wept over me. Fairy laughed at
me. Lark said she just wished you were home to take charge of me and
teach me a few things. But father looked at me again, and thought very
seriously for a while, and said he believed I was right.

"Consequently, I am at Centerville.

"Isn't it dear of father? And so surprising. The girls think he needs
medical attention, and honestly I am a little worried over him myself.
It was so unexpected. Really, I half thought he would 'put his foot
down,' as the Ladies Aiders used to want Prudence to do with us. He