She had not read five lines before she knew that the paper did not contain criticism or suggestions. But so dazed, so surprised, and so absorbed was she, by that time, that she quite forgot that she was reading something most certainly never meant for her eyes to see. The paper was evidently the second sheet of a letter. The writing--fine, but plain--began close to the top of the first page, in what was apparently the middle of a sentence. "speak freely, I am sure. "Things are not getting any better, but rather worse. I cannot seem to win them. Of course I understood that my task would be difficult, following, as I did, two such popular teachers. I think, perhaps, that this very fact has made me nervous; and so--I have not appeared even at my best. But, oh, I have tried!--you cannot know how I have tried! "I am nearly sick with terror for fear I shall lose my position--and of course _that_ doesn't help me to be the cool, calm, judicious person in the chair I ought to be. But it means so much to me--this place--and if I should lose it, there would be poor Annie deprived of her comforts again; for, of course, a failure here would mean that not for a long time (if ever!) could I get another like it. "Forgive me for burdening you with all this, but it had got to the point where I must speak to some one. Then, too, I did not know but you could perhaps tell me why I have failed--I have tried so hard myself to understand! "Sometimes I think I'm too lenient. Sometimes I think I'm too strict. Sometimes I'm so worried for fear they'll think me too young and inexperienced, that I don't dare to act myself at all--then I'm stiffly dignified in a way that I know must be horrid. "After all, I think the whole secret of the matter is--that I'm afraid. If once I could have a confident assurance that I _am_ doing well, and that I _am_ winning out--I think I should win out. I do, truly! "And now I must stop and go to work. I'm in the grove, back of the schoolhouse. I often bring my papers here to correct. I have them with me to-night; but--I've been writing to you instead of working. I'll finish this later. But, really, already I feel a little better. It's done me good, just to say things to you. Of course, to no one else could I--"