"My dear child, we are all selfish when in trouble I suppose," said Miss Manners charitably. "But I did fully expect to hear from her before this, and my next rent will be due in three days. I just came in to consult with you, not to borrow. I wondered if you knew of anything I could do--" "Certainly I do," Nancy almost shouted. "You can start a little private school, a class in domestic science right in my--in our store," she exclaimed. "I know at least a half dozen girls who will be glad to take a month's course, and we'll all pay you in advance. They always do in private schools!" The women both appeared speechless as Nancy rattled on. The idea was plainly fascinating. A domestic science class for the girls who hated housework, as Nancy did! How much better than idling an entire vacation! "Why, I just wonder--" "You needn't wonder, Mother," Nancy interrupted, "I tell you, it's just perfectly wonderful, the idea, I mean. I'll learn, I'll learn, I'll learn," she chanted, "and then maybe I'll find out a pleasant way--" "You are right, daughter," spoke up Mrs. Brandon. "When you learn to do things as they should be done, you will find the work interesting. I have been sorry, Miss Manners, that my home has had to get along without a great deal of my time," she turned to her visitor, "as you know I have had to attend business and leave things to my maid. For, after all," she said evenly, "only a mother can teach a daughter, and I have not been with Nancy long enough--" "You have too, Mumsey, and it's all my very own fault," Nancy confessed. "You often showed me how to do things, and you always told me I would have to pick things up when I threw them down, but I just didn't care. I didn't think it made any difference." Nancy was actually joyous in her confession, showing the positive relief one is apt to experience when the mind is suddenly freed from a heavy weight. "I really think Nancy's idea is a good one," said Mrs. Brandon. "There is no real reason why you should be tucked away next door to us when we need you in here, and we've got more room than we know what to do with." "Oh, joy!" Nancy was positively dancing now. "We can have Manny in here with us all the time? May I call you Manny?" she asked. "It's the cutest name." "That's queer," replied the little lady, a soft color showing through her pale skin. "My girls at Raleigh always called me--Manny--" Then the plans were unfolded, and such plans as they were! "I feel like a fairy with a magic wand" declared Nancy. "My little store is just like--a magic carpet or something." "But I don't want to impose--" Miss Manners began. "You're a positive blessing," Nancy insisted. "The only trouble is--we can't learn sleuthing in your class and I've just got to find out Mr. Sanders' secret before I'm many days older. I honestly think, Mother, the idea of that foolish story going around without anyone--running it down, as Ted would say, is getting on my nerves."