The Russian girl--if it is fair thus to characterize one so
intensely American in manner, in accent and in speech--took the
money and said:

``We'll acknowledge it in the paper next week.''

Jane flushed and a thrill of alarm ran through her.
``Oh--please--no,'' she urged. ``I'd not like to have my name
mentioned. That would look as if I had done it to seem
charitable. Besides, it's such a trifle.''

Selma was calm and apparently unsuspicious. ``Very well,'' said
she. ``We'll write, telling what we did with the money, so that
you can investigate.''

``But I trust you entirely,'' cried Jane.

Selma shook her head. ``But we don't wish to be trusted,'' said
she. ``Only dishonest people wish to be trusted when it's
possible to avoid trusting. And we all need watching. It helps
us to keep straight.''

``Oh, I don't agree with you,'' protested Miss Hastings. ``Lots
of the time I'd hate to be watched. I don't want everybody to
know all I do.''

Selma's eyes opened. ``Why not?'' she said.

Jane cast about for a way to explain what seemed to her a