"Do you really think that would weigh against me?" she asked, distressed. "I assure you my looks are very deceptive. I am eighteen."
"Quite a venerable age," he laughed. "Yet still very young for an instructor of youth."
"You see I only expect to teach little children," she said, apologetically.
He looked at her gravely and curiously.
"Do you think you will enjoy such a life?" he inquired.
"No," she admitted, frankly, "I do not imagine that it will be a pleasant life, certainly. But it will be better than the farm. I shall earn my support and not have my dependence continually thrust in my face by a vulgar woman."
"Poor child!" he thought to himself, as the sensitive color rushed over her brow and throat.
He left her with a thrill of deep compassion in his heart. She seemed so slight and frail a creature to take arms against the world and win her way alone.
"May I come again to-morrow—with Walter?" he added, fancying that he saw her hesitate.