"So is anything worth while. Look at the way you work!"

Dr. Ed rose and wandered around the room.

"You're too young."

"I'll get older."

"I don't think I like the idea," he said at last. "It's splendid work for
an older woman. But it's life, child--life in the raw. As we get along in
years we lose our illusions--some of them, not all, thank God. But for
you, at your age, to be brought face to face with things as they are, and
not as we want them to be--it seems such an unnecessary sacrifice."

"Don't you think," said Sidney bravely, "that you are a poor person to talk
of sacrifice? Haven't you always, all your life--"

Dr. Ed colored to the roots of his straw-colored hair.

"Certainly not," he said almost irritably. "Max had genius; I
had--ability. That's different. One real success is better than two
halves. Not"--he smiled down at her--"not that I minimize my usefulness.
Somebody has to do the hack-work, and, if I do say it myself, I'm a pretty
good hack."

"Very well," said Sidney. "Then I shall be a hack, too. Of course, I had
thought of other things,--my father wanted me to go to college,--but I'm
strong and willing. And one thing I must make up my mind to, Dr. Ed; I
shall have to support my mother."