Miss Adams smiled again. “Well, I don’t see that you will be prevented from following out your ambition if Annis does well. She is sure of going, isn’t she?”
“Yes; but I’m not.” And Persis’s face took on a more doleful expression than before.
“My dear,” said Miss Adams, feeling very sorry for Persis’s disappointment, “I do not want to raise false hopes, but do you know you might try for a scholarship? There are several offered in the college, and one of them might be opened to you if you chose to try for it.”
“Oh, Miss Adams,” cried Persis, starting to her feet, “I never thought of that! Do you really think I could? What would I have to do?”
“You would have to stand an examination instead of trusting to your certificate.”
“Oh, I’ll do that! I’ll do anything. I’ll study harder than ever. Oh, Miss Adams, I am so much obliged to you for even suggesting such a thing.”
“You must not count on it. There may be no vacancies next year, and then you must remember that the expense of your board will be extra,” Miss Adams warned her.
Persis’s face fell again and she sighed.
“I’ll try anyhow,” she made known her determination, after a moment’s reflection. “Maybe some way will be arranged for me.”
“That is the proper spirit,” approved Miss Adams. “I’ll help all I can, Persis, and there is no knowing what good fortune may come to you.”