allowances," just as he did to-night when the indifferent wife was not
there to share in the family's happy hour.

"Maybe I can help you with the books," suggested Tavia, when the
possible details of the new position were being discussed.

"Oh, I will have plenty of time to attend to them, daughter," her father
replied. "The books I want you to attend to are those at school--I want
you to make up for lost time. Dalton people will expect more from us now
that they are giving us a chance."

"Dorothy says I do better than I imagine," replied Tavia. "I did not
expect to pass--I had been home so much--but if only I could get a
'conditional,' and leave when Dorothy does!"

Ambition had come to Tavia--at last.

Her father wished her to get through school, and she determined, if such
a thing was possible she would do it.

"I could study very hard," she told herself, when thinking the matter
over very seriously, that night, in her own little cheerless room.
"Dorothy has all her work done, and I am sure she will help me."

And what a surprise it would be to every one if she really did get
"conditioned" in the studies she failed in, and should actually graduate
in the general work.

What a wonderful thing it was to have something definite to work for!
Dorothy and Alice had always felt that way, but until to-night Tavia had