at last.

"Never, never," she promised eagerly.

"Alright, it is a bargain. I will help you."

The girl sprang to her feet. "I knew you would. I knew you would.
I was plumb sure you would," she cried, fairly quivering with life
and excitement. "It's got to be a sure 'nough lady, Dad. I want to
be a really truly fine lady, like them Ollie tells about in his
letters, you know."

"Yes, Sammy. I understand, a 'sure enough' lady, and we will do
it, I am sure. But it will take a great deal of hard work on your
part, though."

"I reckon it will," she returned soberly, coming back to her seat.
Then drawing her chair a little closer, she leaned toward her
teacher, "Begin now," she commanded. "Tell me what I must do
first."

Mr. Howitt carefully searched his pockets for a match, and lighted
his pipe again, before he said, "First you must know what a 'sure
enough' lady is. You see, Sammy, there are several kinds of women
who call themselves ladies, but are not real ladies after all; and
they all look very much like the 'sure enough' kind; that is, they
look like them to most people."

Sammy nodded, "Just like them Thompsons down by Flat Rock. They're
all mighty proud, 'cause they come from Illinois the same as the