"I don't care! I hate the old studies!" declared Flossie, slamming her books down upon the table. "I don't see why I have to go to school at all. I'm going to ask Pa to take me out. I need a rest." Which was very likely true, for Miss Flossie was out almost every night to some party, or to the theater, or at some place which kept her up very late. She had no time for study, and therefore was behind in all her classes. That day she had been censured for it at school--and when they took a girl to task for falling behind in studies at _that_ school, she was very far behind, indeed! Flossie grumbled about her hard lot all through luncheon. Helen kept her company; then, when it was over, she slipped up to her own room with her bundles. Both Hortense and Belle had taken a good look at her, however, and they plainly approved of her appearance. "She's not such a dowdy as she seemed," whispered Hortense to the oldest sister. "No," admitted Belle. "But that's an awful cheap dress she bought." "I guess she didn't have much to spend," laughed Hortense. "Pa wasn't likely to be very liberal. It puzzles me why he should have kept her here at all." "He says it is his duty," scoffed Belle. "Now, you know Pa! He never was so worried about duty before; was he?" These girls, brought up as they were, steeped in selfishness and seeing their father likewise so selfish, had no respect for their parent. Nor could this be wondered at. Going up to her room that afternoon Helen met Mrs. Olstrom coming down. The housekeeper started when she saw the young girl, and drew back. But Helen had already seen the great tray of dishes the housekeeper carried. And she wondered. Who took their meals up on this top floor? The maids who slept here were all accounted for. She had seen them about the house. And Gregson, too. Of course Mr. Lawdor and Mrs. Olstrom had their own rooms below. Then who could it be who was being served on this upper floor? Helen was more than a little curious. The sounds she had heard the night before dove-tailed in her mind with these soiled dishes on the tray. She was almost tempted to walk through the long corridor in which she thought she had heard the scurrying footsteps pass the night before. Yet, suppose she was caught by Mrs. Olstrom--or by anybody else--peering about the house? "_That_ wouldn't be very nice," mused the girl. "Because these people think I am rude and untaught, is no reason why I should display any _real_ rudeness." She was very curious, however; the thought of the tray-load of dishes remained in her mind all day. At dinner that night even Mr. Starkweather gave Helen a glance of approval when she appeared in her new frock. "Ahem!" he said. "I see you have taken my advice, Helen. We none of us can afford to forget what is due to custom. You are much more presentable." "Thank you, Uncle Starkweather," replied Helen, demurely. "But out our way we say: 'Fine feathers don't make fine birds.'"