should like to be better educated, but I don't think I could study
seriously, to earn my living by it. The time for that has gone by.'

'Perhaps so. But there are things you might manage. No doubt your
sister told you how I get my living. There's a good deal of
employment for women who learn to use a typewriter. Did you ever
have piano lessons?'

'No.'

'No more did I, and I was sorry for it when I went to typewriting.
The fingers have to be light and supple and quick. Come with me, and
I'll show you one of the machines.'

They went to a room downstairs--a bare little room by the library.
Here were two Remingtons, and Rhoda patiently explained their use.

'One must practise until one can do fifty words a minute at least. I
know one or two people who have reached almost twice that speed. It
takes a good six months' work to learn for any profitable use. Miss
Barfoot takes pupils.'

Monica, at first very attentive, was growing absent. Her eyes
wandered about the room. The other observed her closely, and, it
seemed, doubtfully.

'Do you feel any impulse to try for it?'

'I should have to live for six months without earning anything.'