“I thought at once of Everdean,” said Selma, “and have come to give you the opportunity of securing her.”

Pauline expressed her thanks cordially, and inquired if Mrs. Earle had referred to the candidate’s experience or special fitness for the duties of the position.

“She writes that she is very clever and gifted.  I did not bring the letter with me, but I think Mrs. Earle’s language was that Miss Bailey will perform brilliantly any duties which may be intrusted to her.”

“That is rather general,” said Pauline.  “I am sorry that she didn’t specify what Miss Bailey’s education has been, and whether she has taught elsewhere.”

“Mrs. Earle wouldn’t have recommended her if she hadn’t felt sure that she was well educated.  I remember seeing her at the Benham Institute on one of the last occasions when I was present.  She delivered a whistling solo which every one thought clever and melodious.”

“I dare say she is just the person we are looking for,” said Pauline, leniently.  “It happens that Mrs. Grainger—­my friend to whom Mrs. Taylor wrote concerning Mr. Flagg’s gift—­is to make Mrs. Taylor a visit at Benham next week, in order to consider the steps to be taken in regard to Wetmore College.  She and Miss Bailey can arrange to meet, and that will save Miss Bailey the expense of a journey to New York, at the possible risk of disappointment.”

“I thought,” said Selma, “that you would consider yourselves fortunate to secure her services.”

“I dare say we shall be very fortunate, Selma.  But we cannot engage her without seeing her and testing her qualifications.”

Selma made no further demur at the delay, but she was obviously surprised and piqued that her offer should be treated in this elaborate fashion.  She was obliged to acknowledge to herself that she could not reasonably expect Pauline to make a definite decision without further inquiry, but she had expected to be able to report to Mrs. Earle that the matter was as good as settled—­that, if Miss Bailey would give a few particulars as to her accomplishments, the position would be hers.  Surely she and Mrs. Earle were qualified to choose a school-teacher.  Here was another instance of the Littleton tendency to waste time on unimportant details.  She reasoned that a woman with more wide-awake perceptions would have recognized the opportunity as unusual, and would have snapped up Miss Bailey on the spot.

The sequel was more serious.  Neither Selma nor Pauline spoke of the matter for a month.  Then it was broached by Pauline, who wrote a few lines to the effect that she was sorry to report that the authorities of Everdean, after investigation, had concluded not to engage the services of Miss Bailey as instructor.  When Selma read the note her cheeks burned with resentment.  She regarded the decision as an affront.  Pauline dined with them on the evening of that day, and at table Selma was cold and formal.  When the two women were alone, Selma said at once, with an attempt at calmness: