“Then I suppose I inherit it from you,” Betty declared. “I’m much, obliged for the trick of it! But that’s another thing, Father. If you do a thing, you like to do it well and I suppose it’s Louise Madison, who is president of the G. A. A., that has made me so crazy about athletics. Why, they even have riding horseback, beside tennis and everything you can think of.” “And everything you can’t think of, I suppose.” “Aren’t you funny–who’d ever say that but you?” “Have you thought out, Betty, just what you’d like to take up?” “No, Father, not exactly. I’m just–ruminating, and trying to think it out.” “Then I’m glad you are willing to do it with me, Betty. Perhaps we can come to some conclusion.” “Perhaps. I’m sure I need help. It’s just this way. I hate to miss it all, but I can never get my lessons and do too much. Would you care awfully, Father, if I didn’t stand at the head of my class? I did at home, I mean where we did live, but I don’t believe a body ever could even _know_ who is the head in the big high schools. I guess it’s only in some line or other that they get prizes and things. “And then, Father, I believe that it’s better not to be so–keyed up, as Mother says, and wanting to beat.” “The habit of success is a good thing, Betty.” Betty pondered a moment. “I see what you mean. It’s only too easy to let down.” “Yes, and when one studies a subject there is more satisfaction in really covering the ground, being accurate, I mean, not just having a sort of hazy idea.” “Father, there’s too much! You just can’t get it all.” “You have done pretty well so far, my child. I am satisfied with your grades. Isn’t there always an honor roll?” “Yes, and I’m on it, so far.” “Then that is enough. You need not try to beat anybody. Wasn’t that the trouble with your friend that copied your answers?” “Yes. I wouldn’t do that, of course, but there is a sort of nervousness about reciting well and making an impression on the teacher, whether you have your lesson or haven’t had a chance to get it real well. And sometimes you recite when you don’t know much.” “I see. It is a problem, Betty. I see nothing for it but to make a good general plan, not including too much, then work it out every day the best you can. But it’s the little decisions every day that count in anything. I have it in business too. And I wouldn’t let down altogether in the ideals of hard work and getting lessons. It’s chiefly in putting your mind on it when you are working, isn’t it?” “A good deal.” “You would really like to be in that orchestra, wouldn’t you, Betty?” Betty looked up at the smiling face of her father, who wasn’t so very old, after all. He had a fellow feeling! “Didn’t you take a few violin lessons once?” “Yes, when that college girl taught a class for a while, but I can’t _play_, Father. They wouldn’t _look_ at me for the orchestra!” “Probably not now; but if you took more lessons, and of a proper teacher this summer–how about it?”