their cheeks. Most handsome women of sixty are those who go among people
and keep their interest in what is going on.

"And the second law is intelligence. For thinking gives the eyes
expression. A foolish girl may be fair and rosy, yet far from beautiful.
Many of the world's famous beauties have suffered serious blemishes; but
they have all had wit or spirit to give their faces charm. You have
planted flowers?"

"I guess so; yes'm." I didn't see the connection.

"You know then that if you kept digging them to see if they had sprouted,
they never would sprout. So it is not well to think too much about growth
in beauty. Don't be impatient. It is a work of years. But the method is
certain, within limits. I should think that by exercise for the body and
study for the mind you might easily become a beautiful woman. Another
thing; don't slouch."

I sat up straight as a grenadier, my shoulders absurdly stiff.

"No, nevermind your shoulders," said Miss Coleman, smiling; "they'll take
care of themselves if you keep your head right. Practise sitting and
standing erect. And never wear a corset. If the Almighty had meant woman
to be corset-shaped, He'd have made her so."

The superintendent's bell, tinkling for the closing hymn, and the rustle
of the leaves of singing books broke in upon our talk; for the first time
I failed to welcome the interruption.

"Why, I've delivered quite a lecture upon beauty," Miss Coleman said. "Now