"Yes. The French are peculiarly happy in the way they sanctify genius," said Mrs. Bell vaguely, with a feeling that she was wasting a really valuable idea. "Well, you'll have to excuse me, Mrs. Bell. I'd always heard you entertained about as liberal views as there were going on any subject, but I didn't expect they embraced Rousseau." Miss Kimpsey spoke quite meekly. "I know we live in an age of progress, but I guess I'm not as progressive as some." "Many will stay behind," interrupted Mrs. Bell impartially, "but many more will advance." "And I thought maybe Elfrida had been reading that author without your knowledge or approval, and that perhaps you'd like to know." "I neither approve nor disapprove," said Mrs. Bell, poising her elbow on the table, her chin upon her hand, and her judgment, as it were, upon her chin. "I think her mind ought to develop along the lines that nature intended; I think nature is wiser than I am"--there was an effect of condescending explanation here--"and I don't feel justified in interfering. I may be wrong--" "Oh no!" said Miss Kimpsey. "But Elfrida's reading has always been very general. She has a remarkable mind, if you will excuse my saying so; it devours everything. I can't tell you _when_ she learned to read, Miss Kimpsey--it seemed to come to her. She has often reminded me of what you see in the biographies of distinguished people about their youth. There are really a great many points of similarity sometimes. I shouldn't be surprised if Elfrida did anything. I wish _I_ had had her opportunities!" "She's growing very good-looking," remarked Miss Kimpsey. "It's an interesting face," Mrs. Bell returned. "Here is her last photograph. It's full of soul, I think. She posed herself," Mrs. Bell added unconsciously. It was a cabinet photograph of a girl whose eyes looked definitely out of it, dark, large, well shaded, full of a desire to be beautiful at once expressed and fulfilled. The nose was a trifle heavily blocked, but the mouth had sensitiveness and charm. There was a heaviness in the chin, too, but the free springing curve of the neck contradicted that, and the symmetry of the face defied analysis. It was turned a little to one side, wistfully; the pose and the expression suited each other perfectly. "_Full_ of soul!" responded Miss Kimpsey. "She takes awfully well, doesn't she! It reminds me--it reminds me of pictures I've seen of Rachel, the actress, really it does." "I'm afraid Elfrida has no talent _that_ way." Mrs. Bell's accent was quite one of regret. "She seems completely wrapped up in her painting just now," said Miss Kimpsey, with her eyes still on the photograph.