"We never had a girl come here who got on so fast. It mostly takes months to learn a half-machine. After another three she can mind both sides. That means about four dollars and a half a week. Well, you've been quick and faithful, and nobody could envy your good luck." As she picked up her lunch basket and descended toward the office, more than one called after her a good wish. "Don't you be scared of the 'Supe.' If he scolds and you aren't to blame, just tell him so, and he'll like you the better." "Maybe he's going to promote you a'ready, though I don't see how he could. I won't be jealous if he does, though," cried another; and Gwendolyn, the inquisitive, resolved to keep up Amy's spirits by accompanying her to the interview. "But, Gwen, did he send for you?" "No; course not. If he did, I shouldn't feel so chipper. There ain't no love lost 'twixt the 'Supe' and me." "Then maybe--" "Trash! I'm going. Ain't I the one that fetched you here in the first place? Hadn't I ought to stand by you, thick or thin?" "Yes, I suppose so," answered Amy, more frightened by Gwendolyn's suggestive manner than by any consciousness of blunders made. Nor did she remind her neighbor that for a time, at first, while Amy's popularity had not been determined, the other had shrewdly held aloof, waiting the turn of the tide. Fortunately, this had been in the "new hand's" direction, and since then Gwendolyn's attentions had been almost overpowering. But, indeed, Amy did not even think this. "Simplicity, sincerity, sympathy"--she was faithfully striving to make this the rule of her own life, and therefore she could not imagine anything lower in the lives of others. But she still kept her frank tongue, and she gave it rein, as the pair hurried officeward. "Dear Gwen, if you only wouldn't chew that gum! It makes you look so queer, and spoils all the pretty outline of your cheek. Besides, I'm sure Mr. Metcalf doesn't like it. He always frowns when a gum-chewer has to speak with him about her work." "Pshaw, what a fuss you are! There, then, though that's the first bit off a new stick, I've thrown it out the window. _Is_ my cheek pretty? How do you manage to see things without looking? I never see you take your eyes off your frame, yet not a thing goes on in that room you don't seem to hear or know." "I'm sure I don't know, unless it's because having lived all alone, without other girls, I love to hear the voices and see the bright faces. Oh, I do love _folks_! And it seems to me that every single girl in that mill is far more interesting than the best story book I ever read." "Well, if you don't beat! But, say, Amy!" "Well?" "I don't believe there's another girl there would tell me I was pretty without saying something else would spoil it." "Oh, indeed, there must be. If it's the truth, why shouldn't one say it? But if it's the truth, again, you have no right to deface the beauty. Do give up the gum." "Why haven't I a right?"