She faced him, now resolute and eager. "I am not a fairy princess, I
am not a witch. As a matter of fact, I am a very commonplace person
who is obliged to earn a living one way or another, and it isn't
always a simple thing to do. Tip to this instant, I hadn't the
remotest thought of becoming a governess. I don't know what came over
me unless it was loneliness, thinking of my little brothers and
sisters at home. When I first saw you and the children nothing was
farther from my mind than the thought that has just come into it. I DO
love children. I want work, Mr. Bingle. I am self-supporting. No
matter what may have been my ambition up to five minutes ago, I am
content to put it aside, I am willing to undertake--"

"My dear young lady," broke in Mr. Bingle, who had been slow to grasp
her meaning and even slower to recover from his stupefaction; "you--
you really have knocked me silly. I hadn't the faintest idea--"

"May I apply to Mrs. Bingle to-morrow?" she asked nervously,
interrupting him with unintentional rudeness. "I have no references to
give as a governess, but I--I think I can convince Mrs. Bingle that I
would be quite capable. Do you think there would be a chance for me if
I--"

Mr. Bingle broke in once more, this time with acute enthusiasm. "Don't
wait till to-morrow," he exclaimed. "Do it to-day! To-morrow may be
too late. Harkins, drive to the nearest public telephone. We will call
up the intelligence office and see if Mrs. Bingle has been there yet.
If she hasn't--"

"Is she looking for a governess in an intelligence office?" cried Miss