CHAPTER XX A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION As Nan had surmised, Christine was worn out by her day of fatigue and excitement, and the next morning found her possessed of better mental poise and a more placid manner. And as more days went by the girl improved greatly in demeanour and bearing, and lost, to a great degree, her look of startled fear and painful self-consciousness. Of course this was not accomplished completely, or all at once, but helped by the kind gentleness of Nan and affectionate chaffing of Patty, Christine grew more accustomed to the pleasant social atmosphere into which she had been so suddenly thrown. They visited picture galleries and went to the shops, and went driving and motoring, and though Christine could not be persuaded to go to afternoon teas, or to formal luncheons, yet she enjoyed the pleasures she had and grew every day more at her ease in society. Her own determination helped her greatly. She purposed to yet become as unaffected and un-self-conscious as Patty, and, though she knew she could never acquire Patty's inborn gaiety of spirit, she resolved to come as near to it as she could with her naturally quiet disposition. The two girls became fast friends, and, after a few days, Patty ventured to broach the subject of Christine's career. To her surprise, Christine was quite ready to talk about it, and asked Patty's advice as to ways and means. "I've already learned," she said, "that I have some talent and that I need the instruction and experience that I can get here and cannot get at home. When I once make up my mind to a thing I spare no effort to achieve it, and now I'm determined to get an art education by some manner or means!" "Hooray for you!" cried Patty, for Christine's cheeks glowed and her eyes sparkled with the force of her speech. "That's the way to talk! Christine, you do me proud! Now, go on; what have you in mind? Tell your Aunt Patty all about it." Christine smiled at Patty's funny little ways, but she went on bravely: "I want to stay in New York for a year, at least. I'm afraid of it--desperately so. The very sound of the traffic scares me out of my wits. But I'm going to conquer that, and I'm going to conquer my shyness and timidity and all the foolish things that stand in my way." "That's the ticket!" cried Patty, clapping her hands. "Good old Christine! Go in and win!"