Then Regina told Julia how she came to put herself in the hands of Madame Florence and the little Frenchwoman on the first floor--that is to say, she told her in part, not giving her reasons, her actual reasons, or the source of her information concerning them. "But how will you do your hair to-morrow morning?" "I do not know quite how I shall do it. I am going to Madame Florence every day for a week, so that she may do it and get it into the proper set. When she had arranged my hair she gave me a lesson on a dummy, so that I really do know how things should be, and she thinks after a week I shall be quite able to do it myself. Besides, as she says, it makes such a difference--the way your hair is accustomed to go." "You'll never be able to wave your own hair, mother." "Well, I don't like to think about that part of it," said Regina. "Darling," said Julia, feeling that she had smoothed over her previous indiscretions, "why don't you have a maid? She would be so useful to both of us. Think of somebody who would be able to make smart blouses, do up frocks and touch up hats and generally make life easy and comfortable. Why don't you have a maid?" "It seems such an expense," said Regina. "But you can afford it--I shall talk to father." "If I did have a maid I should pay her myself; I shouldn't think of coming on your father for an extravagance of that sort." "Well, you have more money than you ever spend. Dearest, you have got into the habit of going without things, and we have got into the habit of regarding you as a person of no vanities, so that we resent it when you show the smallest sign of anything feminine in your nature. Now I come to look at you again," said Julia, with her head on one side, "I think I do like you better like this. It is more important looking; it seems to make your head more of a size with the rest of you. I like you in black--you know, mother, you never wear black. Do you mind if I try it on?" "Why of course not." It was with pride that Regina stood by and saw her daughter poise the beautiful black toque upon her own abundant locks. "Oh yes, it's a ravishing hat," Julia declared. "I think I must go and see your Madame Clementine. You won't mind?--Ah, there is daddy coming." At that moment Alfred's solid footstep was heard upon the landing. "Hullo, young woman," he said a moment later as he entered the room, "got a new hat?" "_It's mother's hat_," said Julia with emphasis and awaited developments. "Your mother's? Well, my dear, you have been doing yourself very well. Why--bless my soul--what have you been doing to your head?" "I have been having my hair brushed and cared for," said Regina, feeling that she must take her bull by the horns and grasp her nettle without delay. "Why didn't they put it up as it was--let me look at you. I don't know"--and he passed his thumb down one cheek and his fingers down the other till they met at the lowest point of his chin, "I don't know--it isn't you, you see."