When Rose had obtained by good fortune the powerful friendship of the rich Miss Wilmot, she, of course, decided to give up vest-making. She had some time left, but she felt that it would be necessary for her to keep up her practice at home, if she aspired to become a successful piano-teacher. However, she would finish the vests she had in hand, and let those be the last. When the vests were finished she took them round to Mr. Walton's establishment. The vigilant Daniells did not fail to note her appearance, and prepared to serve the interests of his superior in the way which had been arranged between them. "So you've finished the vests?" he said, carelessly. "Let me look at them." Rose regarded this as a mere formality, knowing that they had been well made, and never before having had her work objected to. What was her surprise, therefore, when Daniells went over them one by one, frowning and shaking his head, disapprovingly. "Really," he said, "these vests are hardly satisfactory." "What is amiss with them?" asked Rose, in genuine surprise. "I can't go into particulars," said Daniells, who would have found it hard to do so, by the way; "I can only say that they are not as well made as we expect." "They are as well made as usual," said Rose, flushing indignantly. "I cannot understand why you object to them, when all the work I've done before has passed without objection." "All I can say, Miss Beaufort, is that I do not feel authorized to pay you for them. Mr. Parkinson, however, is my superior. You can refer the matter to him." "I should like to do so, sir," said Rose, with cold dignity. "I will accompany you." The two passed on to the superintendent's desk, and Daniells explained the matter to his superior. "I will look over the work myself," said Parkinson. "You may go back, Mr. Daniells. I will settle the matter." Rose stood quiet, while the superintendent examined the vests. "Really, Miss Beaufort," said Hugh, with his fascinating smile, "I think Mr. Daniells has done you injustice. To my eye, the vests are very neatly made." "Thank you, sir," said Rose, gratefully. "I am sure they are as well made as any I have brought here." "The fact is," said Parkinson, confidentially, "Daniells is rather fussy--I might say cranky--I have had more than once to reverse his decision. You shall certainly be paid promptly, as usual." "Thank you, sir." Rose had never admired the superintendent, but he seemed to her now a just and agreeable man. The money was not now of so much importance to her, but she strongly objected to being unjustly treated, and being deprived of the money which she had fairly earned. Mr. Parkinson himself paid over to Rose the money due for the six vests. "Miss Beaufort," he said, "I hope you won't think we men of business are all hard and disposed to take advantage of the poor. Now, in your case, I assure you that I feel very kindly toward you." "Thank you, sir," said Rose, considerably surprised.