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.