There was no dearth of trial places, as the supply of offices in need of stenographers seemed to be unlimited. So, in the matter of actual earnings, Ellen was doing pretty well. Indeed, her first experience was repeated more than once and she was overpaid in order to be got rid of more quickly. At such times she took the money greedily in spite of the attendant mortification. Mrs. O'Brien saw no cause for mortification but would declare complacently: "Ha, ha, the villians! 'Tis conscience money, no less, that they're paying you! They know they haven't given you a fair show! But don't you mind them, Ellen dear. The right office is comin' yet--you can depend on that!" Mrs. O'Brien's faith was steadfast and at length had its reward. Ellen came home one evening flushed and triumphant. "Well," she announced, "I've struck it right at last!" Her eyes sparkled with renewed assurance. "No more running around for me, a day here and a day there! I'm fixed! Eight dollars a week to begin on and fifty cents advance every month!" "I'm not one bit surprised!" Mrs. O'Brien cried. "I knew just how it would be! Now tell us all about it!" "It's a real estate office," Ellen explained; "Hawes & Cranch. Mr. Hawes is my man. I'm to take his dictation in the morning and get the work out in the afternoon and attend to his private phone. It's a big office. They've got two other stenographers and a book-keeper. By tomorrow Mr. Hawes is going to have my desk put into his room. He's an awful nice man. He says he never had any one who took his dictation better and he says I certainly do understand all about business punctuation." "I'm sure you do!" Mrs. O'Brien agreed heartily. "And I wasn't there more than a couple of hours when he said he knew I'd suit and the position was mine if I wanted it." "Do you hear that!" Mrs. O'Brien gasped. "I'm not one bit surprised!" "And he apologized for starting me so low. He said it was a rule in their office. He talked like I ought to be getting twenty a week easily." "And so you ought!" Mrs. O'Brien declared. "And I must say, Ellen dear, if I'm any judge of men, this Mr. Hawes is a fine fella! Mind you're always respectful to him!" Ellen laughed. "He's not that kind of man at all! He's just as friendly as he can be." For a moment her mother was anxious. "I hope, Ellen dear, he's not too friendly." Ellen tossed her head. "Even if he was, I guess I know how to take care of myself!" In Mrs. O'Brien confidence was restored. "Of course you do, Ellen dear. I trust you for that." Terry looked at Ellen sharply. "Say, Sis, is this fellow married?" "Er-a-not exactly," Ellen stammered. "I wasn't going to mention it, but since you ask me I might as well tell. They say he's divorced." "Divorced!" That was a word to startle Mrs. O'Brien's soul. "You don't say so, Ellen! I'm sorry to hear it! I'm not so sure you ought to stay with him."