'Oh Stella'----began Vava, rather embarrassed; for Stella had requested her since the episode of the letter not to discuss her or her private affairs with Mr. James Jones or any one else. 'And I don't--I don't want to hurt her feelings,' continued Mr. James Jones. 'Oh well, I don't suppose you would; she says you are very civil and gentlemanly, and'----Here Vava stopped. 'Did she say that? I am very glad to hear it. What were you going to say?' he inquired. 'I think I had better not say any more. You know I got into an awful row about that letter, and nursie was cross with me too; so I really have begun to be very careful what I say now,' announced Vava. 'You need not be careful with me; still, I don't want you to say what you think you ought not. Now will you explain my difficulty to me? I want to write to your sister, and I don't know how to begin the letter,' he told her. Vava opened her eyes wide. 'But she is in the next room!' 'I know; but I really could not say it to her,' said the junior partner, looking uncomfortable. Vava looked at him keenly. 'I can't imagine why not; she's not so frightening as all that, unless you want to propose to her,' she added with a laugh. Mr. Jones laughed too, although he coloured and looked fearfully at the door, as if Stella might by some evil chance be there. 'Would she be frightening if one proposed?' he asked in joke. 'I hope you won't, because she would not marry you, you know,' responded Vava. 'Thank you,' said Mr. Jones. And then he added, in a dry tone, 'As a matter of fact, I was not going to take any such liberty; I was going to tell her'----Here he stopped. 'That you didn't want her any more?' suggested Vava. 'On the contrary, that her services were worth more to the firm than she was being paid for them, and that her salary would be raised,' he observed. 'How jolly! Why can't you tell Stella that straight out? She isn't ashamed of earning money,' declared Vava. Mr. Jones was not so sure of that. However, he so far took Vava's advice as not to write, but simply to send the cheque of the increased amount, and leave Stella to speak of it. Meanwhile Mr. Jones set to work to explain not only one or two rules, but to go through all the term's work, and spent, not half-an-hour, but two hours at it; and Stella, who came in with her letters, could not help feeling grateful, and admiring the young man for his good-nature and the interest he was evidently taking in his pupil. 'Now if that does not bring you out first in the examination I shall be surprised, that's all!' he exclaimed, when, having come to the last rule, Vava declared that she understood them all. 'Then I shall have to give the prize to you,' she replied, laughing, and went off.