Mrs. Bryant looked interested. Joyce’s story was vague but it intrigued her. Her life had never contained such romance as walking off into the world till you found a place you liked and then camping down there. Joyce was a new kind of girl and she liked her. But she also wanted to satisfy her own curiosity and her sense of the conventions, so she proceeded with her inquisition. Also, it was necessary to have an explanation ready to give at the Ladies’ Aid that afternoon of the new little house that had come to park on her premises. She knew every one would ask about it. She could hear them now, “Whoooo—is she? Wheeer—did—she—come—from? Whoooo—knows—her? Whiiiiiy—is—she—here? Whoo? Tu—Whit, Tu—Whoooo?” for all the world like so many owls. Mrs. Bryant meant to be ready to silence all voices. Her husband was sponsoring this girl by allowing her on his premises, and she was not going to have anything questionable said about her.
“What you going to do now you’re here?” she asked abruptly. “Have you got means of your own, or do you have to work?”
Joyce flushed but answered without hesitation:
“Why, I’ve enough to get along on I think until I get a job. Of course I could have found something easier at home I suppose, but I thought it would be better to make a change. I guess I’ll find something pretty soon. I’ve got to get settled first.”
“H’m!” said Mrs. Bryant, “What’s your line? You a stenographer or what?”
“What! I guess,” laughed Joyce. “I’ve been aiming to get ready to be a teacher, but I suddenly decided to come away just before the examinations so I guess I’ll have to wait for that. And anyhow it’s almost vacation time. I’d have to do something else until fall of course. I wonder if perhaps I could arrange to take examinations here? I don’t suppose you know when the state examinations come off in your public schools here, do you?”
“No, but I could find out this afternoon. I’m going to Ladies’ Aid an’ Mrs. Powers is always there. Her husband’s on the Board of Trustees, and she mostly knows everything about education. I’ll ask her.”
“Thank you,” said Joyce gladly, “I should be so glad if there was some chance for me to get my try-out before next year, for I really want to teach. I’m hoping for a position. I can get along with almost anything else in the way of a job until then. I’d like to take my examinations while everything is fresh in my mind. I’ve been studying hard all the spring for them.”
“Well, I’ll see if that can’t be arranged somehow. There ought to be somebody round that has got some pull with the school board. Meantime, if you find a job and want references, just send ’em to me. I’ll be glad to tell anybody you’re all right.”
“But you don’t know me, Mrs. Bryant. How could you give me a recommendation?” laughed Joyce in amazement.