A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION
As Nan had surmised, Christine was worn out by her day of fatigue and
excitement, and the next morning found her possessed of better mental
poise and a more placid manner.
And as more days went by the girl improved greatly in demeanour and
bearing, and lost, to a great degree, her look of startled fear and
painful self-consciousness. Of course this was not accomplished
completely, or all at once, but helped by the kind gentleness of Nan and
affectionate chaffing of Patty, Christine grew more accustomed to the
pleasant social atmosphere into which she had been so suddenly thrown.
They visited picture galleries and went to the shops, and went driving
and motoring, and though Christine could not be persuaded to go to
afternoon teas, or to formal luncheons, yet she enjoyed the pleasures she
had and grew every day more at her ease in society.
Her own determination helped her greatly. She purposed to yet become as
unaffected and un-self-conscious as Patty, and, though she knew she could
never acquire Patty's inborn gaiety of spirit, she resolved to come as
near to it as she could with her naturally quiet disposition.
The two girls became fast friends, and, after a few days, Patty ventured
to broach the subject of Christine's career.
To her surprise, Christine was quite ready to talk about it, and asked
Patty's advice as to ways and means.
"I've already learned," she said, "that I have some talent and that I
need the instruction and experience that I can get here and cannot get at
home. When I once make up my mind to a thing I spare no effort to achieve
it, and now I'm determined to get an art education by some manner or
means!"
"Hooray for you!" cried Patty, for Christine's cheeks glowed and her eyes
sparkled with the force of her speech. "That's the way to talk!
Christine, you do me proud! Now, go on; what have you in mind? Tell your
Aunt Patty all about it."
Christine smiled at Patty's funny little ways, but she went on bravely:
"I want to stay in New York for a year, at least. I'm afraid of
it--desperately so. The very sound of the traffic scares me out of my
wits. But I'm going to conquer that, and I'm going to conquer my shyness
and timidity and all the foolish things that stand in my way."
"That's the ticket!" cried Patty, clapping her hands. "Good old
Christine! Go in and win!"
"Wait a bit, Patty. That's all very well so far as determination and will
are concerned. And I can do it. My will is strong, and I know I'm started
now on the right track. But--there are many hard facts to face. There's a
sordid side to the question that can't be solved by will-power and
determination. Mr. Hepworth thinks I can get a scholarship practically
without cost; but, in addition to that, I have to pay my board, you know,
and I have very little money. My dear old father can send me a small
allowance, but we are a large family, and he is not rich. So I want to
know if you think I could earn enough by some work outside my classes to
pay my board--say, about fifteen dollars a week. Do you?"
Patty couldn't help it. This question from Christine was too much!
She was sitting on a couch, and she put her head down into a big, soft
pillow, and shook with laughter. Did _she_ think a girl could earn
fifteen dollars a week? _Did_ she, indeed? With a strange sound between a
gurgle and a choke, she ran out of the room.
Not for worlds would she have Christine think she was laughing at her, so
in a moment she had straightened her grinning face, smothered her
giggles, and returned, saying:
"Excuse me, please; I had a sudden choking spell. What were you saying?"
"You poor dear! Mayn't I get you a glass of water?"
"No, thanks; I'm all right now. As to your question--no, Christine, I do
_not_ think you could earn fifteen dollars a week! No, nor fifteen cents
a week, while you're occupied with your lessons."
Christine looked aghast. "Oh, Patty!" she said. "Then what am I to do? I
thought you'd say, yes, I could earn that sum easily."
Again Patty wanted to laugh. A month ago she would have said that very
thing.
"Christine," she said, gently, "listen to me. We Fairfields and Mr.
Hepworth all take an interest in you and in your career. We all feel sure
you will yet be a great artist. Of course, our belief is founded on Mr.
Hepworth's assertions, but we know he is capable of judging. Now you must
have that year of study, and by that time Mr. Hepworth feels sure you can
earn quite a lot of money by illustrating, and whatever he thinks goes!"
"Well," said Christine, as Patty paused, uncertain how to proceed.
"Well, you see," went on Patty, suddenly deciding that the plain,
outspoken facts were best, "father has offered to pay your board for a
year at some nice, pleasant boarding-house, and----Mercy! _What's_ the
matter?"
For Christine had turned first a blazing, fiery red, and then as white as
chalk, and seemed about to tumble off her chair.
"Brace up there!" cried Patty, shaking her by the shoulder. "Don't you
faint or do anything silly! I take it all back. Father wouldn't do such a
thing!"
"You misunderstand!" said Christine, smiling faintly through now rapidly
falling tears. "I almost fainted from sheer gladness."
"Oh! I thought you were angry and offended and insulted and mad as hops,
and everything like that!"
"Oh, no!" cried the other. "Why, Patty, it isn't charity; it's great,
big, splendid kindness, and it's just a loan, you understand. I can pay
it back in a couple of years after I once begin to earn money. Patty, you
don't know how sure I am of my own ability now that I understand my
limitations. I can't explain it, but I see success ahead as surely as I
see the blue sky out of that window!"
Christine gazed out of the window with rapt eyes, as if she saw visions
of the fame and glory that were yet to be her portion.
"You duck!" cried Patty, embracing her. "You're just splendiferous!
That's the loveliest way you could have taken father's offer. He is
great, big, splendid kindness personified, and I'm so glad you see it."
That evening Mr. Fairfield ratified Patty's statements and definitely
offered to pay Christine's board bills for a year.
To Patty's surprise, Christine showed no shyness or agitation as she
answered him.
Only Nan understood that the girl's gratitude was too real and too deep
for any troublesome self-consciousness to disturb it.
"Mr. Fairfield," she said, "I accept your offer with unspeakable
thankfulness. It means my whole career, and I assure you I shall reach my
goal. Of course, it is a financial loan, but after a year I shall be in a
position to begin to pay it back, and it shall be promptly paid. Do not
think I have unfounded faith in my success. I know what I already
possess, and what more I need, and though my progress to fame may be
slow, and take many long years, yet after a year's tuition I shall be
able to command a comfortable income in return for my work."
Christine's eyes shone with earnestness and steadfast purpose, and her
face seemed to be fairly transfigured. Hers was no idle boasting. It was
clear to be seen she spoke from a positive knowledge of herself, and
indeed she only corroborated what Mr. Hepworth had said of her.
"Put it that way if you like," said Mr. Fairfield, kindly; "we need not
talk now about repayment. Just go ahead and find a cosy, pleasant
abiding-place, and then, ho, for brushes and mahl-stick! And hurrah for
our artist!"
So genial were his words and manner that Christine caught his spirit of
vivacity, and responded:
"Hurrah for the Fairfields!"
So it was all settled, and Mr. Hepworth was more than delighted when he
learned all about it.
Patty gave a little afternoon tea for Christine the last day of her stay,
and though Christine would have greatly preferred not to be present, she
yielded to Patty's entreaties and did her best to overcome her shyness
and be a satisfactory "guest of honour."
"She's a beauty, isn't she?" said Roger to Patty, as they stood looking
at Christine while the tea was in progress.
"Yes," said Patty, "when she is talking to her own sort of people. See,
those are really big artists, and she isn't a bit afraid or embarrassed.
But put some society girls near her and she crumples all up."
"She'll get over it," said Roger; "and I say, Patty, you did a big thing
getting her here. For of course it's all due to you and your plucky
perseverance in that foolish scheme of earning your living."
"Huh! it wasn't foolish since it succeeded," said Patty, airily.
"Well, the success isn't foolish, but your first attempts were."
"I don't care; it was good experience. I learned a lot, and I'm not sorry
for my part of it."
"Not even the part that made you acquainted with me?" said a merry voice,
and Patty turned to see Philip Van Reypen holding out a hand in greeting.
"No!" cried Patty, as she cordially shook hands with the young man. "No,
_especially_ not sorry for that part--for that was the Success!"
"I don't want to be over-confident," returned Philip, gaily, "but that
sounds as if meeting me were the success!"
"That wasn't what I meant," said Patty, smiling and dimpling, "but it
remains to be seen. Perhaps we can make that a success also."
"Do let us try!" said Philip.