“We have just been talking over what you said to me last night, Madame,” said Sigrid brightly. “The question is,” said Madame Lechertier, “whether you are really in earnest in seeking work, and whether you will not object to my proposal. The fact is that the girl who for some time has played for me at my principal classes is going to be married. I have, of course, another assistant upon whom I can, if need be, fall back; but she does not satisfy me, we do not work well together, and her playing is not to be compared to yours. I should only need you in the afternoon, and during the three terms of the year. Each term is of twelve weeks, and the salary I should offer you would be £24 a term—£2 a week, you see.” “Oh, Frithiof!” cried Sigrid, in great excitement, “we should be able to help Swanhild. We could have her over from Norway. Surely your salary and mine together would keep us all?” “Who is Swanhild?” asked Madame Lechertier. “She is our little sister, Madame. She is much younger—only eleven years old, and as we are orphans, Frithiof and I are her guardians.” Madame Lechertier looked at the two young faces, smiling to think that they should be already burdened with the cares of guardianship. It touched her, and yet at the same time it was almost comical to hear these two young things gravely talking about their ward. “You see,” said Frithiof, “there would be her education; one must not forget that.” “But at the high schools it is very cheap, is it not, Madame?” said Sigrid. “About ten pounds a year,” said Madame Lechertier. “What is your little sister like, because if she is at all like you—” “Here is her photograph,” said Sigrid, unfastening her writing-case and taking out Swanhild’s picture. “This is taken in her peasant costume which she used to wear sometimes for fun when when we were in the country. It suits her very well, I think.” “But she is charming,” cried Madame Lechertier. “Such a dainty little figure—such well-shaped legs! My dear, I have a bright thought—an inspiration. Send for your little Swanhild, and when you come to me each afternoon bring her also in this fascinating costume. She shall be my little pupil-teacher, and though, of course, her earnings would be but small, yet they would more than cover her education at a high school, and she would be learning a useful profession into the bargain.” She glanced at Frithiof and saw quite plainly that he shrank from the idea, and that it would go hard with his proud nature to accept such an offer. She glanced at Sigrid, and saw that the sister was ready to sacrifice anything for the sake of getting the little girl to England. Then, having as much tact as kindness, she rose to go.