"Then I would pull the shortest hair from my crown and blow on both ends and make a wish and turn into an elf--no, a gnome,--no, that isn't it either--anyhow, I would turn into something very thin and flat and slide out under the door." "But you couldn't get your books out, dear--and it would be too lonesome and dark to study in the closet." "But I would catch some fire-flies out thah and slide back under the door--then I would have a light, and when I study I don't get lonesome." "Then a sad thing would happen, my dear--I would be compelled to switch you----" Belle-Ann vented a peal of pent-up glee and pulled the prematurely white head toward her. "Then I would kiss you thah and thah and thah--I would do what you always tell me--I would give good for evil--and I would not switch you back, and would only squeeze you hard--like this----" The woman in turn touched the dimpled, mischievous face fondly and kissed the red mouth, so temptingly close to her. Miss Worth the while had held a free hand behind her and in this hand she secreted something. "I really didn't come in to frolic, Belle-Ann," she said. "I came to tell you something--rather to ask you to do something for us." "Who's us, Miss Virginia?" quizzed Belle-Ann, her roguish, child-like curiosity superseding her levity. "I mean for me--of course, I have talked this matter over with Colonel Tennytown--in fact, we have had it in mind a long time. As you already know, I have private means and an income that accumulates until I hardly know at times where to place it." Miss Worth toyed with the ringlets of silky jet that crossed the girl's low brow. "I love all my pupils," she went on, "but your little self has taken a hold upon my affections in a way that no other pupil has ever done--and we feel--I feel that you have gifts and natural aptitudes that should not be neglected--and cultivation costs money, Belle-Ann, and I want you to borrow some money from me." Belle-Ann's round violet eyes had grown wider with wonder, as she studied the youthful countenance of the woman with the white hair. "But am I not at school heah?" she observed. "Besides, I don't need money--deah daddy sent me fifty dollars last month and I have lots of that left, and heah it is near the end of the month and he will send more, too. I thank you-all so much, Miss Virginia--but----" The teacher placed her hand over the ravishing mouth and left only the eloquent eyes protesting.