shall go back on the rules and regulations! If somebody gets down on his
knees and implores, 'Which note shall I flat?' I shall turn coldly away,
or else say, 'Suit yourself, my dear!' But, girls, oh girls, I hope
there won't be any pianos in Eldorado!"

"Probably there will be only cabinet organs--don't worry, dear!" soothed
Laura Ann.

* * * * *

The day after the Wicked Compact was drawn up and signed, T.O. started
on her quest for Eldorado. She would have no one escort her to the
station; she would give no intimation of her plans. They were all to
wait as patiently as possible till she came back. It was only because
she had to, poor child, that she accepted the contributions of the
others toward her expenses of travel.

At the station she straightened her short stature to its utmost and
approached the ticket window. She might have been, from her splendid
dignity of manner, six feet instead of five.

"Will you please tell me which road is the cheapest to travel on?" she
asked, clearly, undismayed outwardly, inwardly quailing before the
ticket man's amazement. His curious eyes surveyed her through the little
opening.

"Why--er--well, there's the most competition on the X & Y Road," he
said, slowly. "The rates on that line are about down to the limit--"

"Thank you," the dignified one said, and turned away. She found the time