In response to my ring the maid ushered me into a lovely reception-room, where Mrs. S----- soon appeared in a high state of nervous excitement. "You have greatly upset me, Mrs. Roberts," she said. "Kindly be brief. To your point at once. I have much to do, also must dress before luncheon, for our card-party at Mrs. -----'s this afternoon." "Mrs. S-----, you no doubt will be able to identify Pearl's handwriting." I replied. "Most assuredly," she rejoined. "What of it?" "Simply this: In my possession are three notes. They were written by your daughter to a boy companion in school. The boy's mother lent them to me. It is my painful duty to show them to you. First of all, permit me to assure you that this matter is perfectly safe with me," I said. "Come into the next room where we can be undisturbed and unobserved," she requested. Then she rang the bell and said to the maid: "I shall not be at home to any one who either 'phones or calls." (Here let me say that having once been associated with Mrs. S---- socially, I was not a stranger.) "Mrs. S----, doesn't Pearl sometimes ask permission to go home with a favorite girl companion, also at times remain with her over night, or else she with your daughter?" I asked after we had retired to the other room. "Certainly," she answered, "and I may add, I am quite satisfied to have her do so, _for they can both be implicitly trusted_." "Mrs. S----, please read these letters. I beg of you, prepare yourself for an awful shock...." Presently the great beads of perspiration broke out on her forehead and dripped unheeded into her lap. After reading those notes she made mincemeat of them, and then lay back in her chair white and speechless. The silence was painful beyond description. Finally I broke the silence by saying: "Mrs. S----, permit me to assist you to your room, then 'phone Mrs. ---- of your sudden illness, and also send for your daughter to come home immediately." She gladly acquiesced. Before my departure she faintly acknowledged her realization of neglect of duty and confidence toward the precious soul entrusted to her keeping, and promised to deal gently with the erring child. Furthermore, she said that _she had played her last game of cards_. Pearl and her mother became inseparable companions. To this day the daughter has no idea who informed on her, but this occurrence taught a never-to-be-forgotten lesson to more than one I hope and pray that the mothers who read this may profit by the story.