This was what poor Maddy heard, though it was spoken in a low whisper;
but every word was distinctly understood and burned into her heart's
core, drying her tears and hardening her into a block of marble. She
knew that Guy had not done her justice, and this helped to increase
the torpor stealing over her. Still she did not lose a syllable of
what was saying in the back office, and her lip curled scornfully when
she heard Guy remark: "I pity her; she is so young, and evidently
takes it so hard. Maybe she's as good as they average. Suppose we give
her the certificate."

Then Dr. Holbrook spoke, but to poor, dazed Maddy his words were all a
riddle. It was nothing to him--who was he that he should be dictating
thus? There seemed to be a difference of opinion between the young
men, Guy insisting that out of pity she should not be rejected; and
the doctor demurring on the ground that he ought to be more strict. As
usual, Guy overruled, and seating himself at the table, the doctor was
just commencing: "I hereby certify--" while Guy was bending over him,
when the latter was startled by a hand laid firmly on his arm, and
turning quickly he confronted Madeline Clyde, who, with her short hair
pushed from her blue-veined forehead, her face as pale as ashes, save
where a round spot of purplish red burned upon her cheeks, and her
eyes gleaming like coals of fire, stood before him.

"He need not write that," she said, huskily, pointing to the doctor,
"It would be a lie, and I could not take it. You do not think me
qualified. I heard you say so. I do not want to be pitied. I do not
want a certificate because I am so young, and you think I'll feel
badly. I do not want--"

Her voice failed her, her bosom heaved, and the choking sobs came