"I will call up the tailor at once, girls, and have him give us the
preference over other work," Mrs. Maynard replied.

"Not for me! I don't like the tight habits. I shall take my bloomer
one," replied Eleanor, decidedly.

"Dear me, Nolla! You don't seem to care a fig about your appearance.
What will become of you when it is time for you to make your debut?"
sighed Mrs. Maynard, despondently.

"I'm not going to do anything so silly--I'm going into business when I
grow up!"

"Oh!"

"Nolla!"

Mother and sister could hardly gasp the words as they turned shocked
eyes in the direction of Mr. Maynard who had been writing out checks
for his family. He leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily at the
independence of his youngest child.

"Frederick! Now you see what comes of your petting Nolla whenever she
says or does anything dreadful!" exclaimed Mrs. Maynard.

"Is business so dreadful, then? Anne Stewart seems all right, and she
is earning her living," ventured Eleanor.

"I wash my hands of you, after this, Eleanor! If you do anything so
unheard of as you threaten, no one will keep up with you," declared