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 a girl to buy her own clothes as scrupulously as she must always, under any circumstances, pay her own room rent; garments (except for a pair of silk stockings, perhaps, and except for gloves, of course) a good girl must not accept from a man; and there appeared to be a prevailing prejudice against letting a man pay your breakfast check. This prejudice was less strict in regard to luncheons and entirely ceased to operate in respect to dinners, particularly if the girl accepted a dance or a show afterwards. She was expected, of course, to permit a reasonable amount of petting; but then, if she accepted no more than dinner and a dance or a show, the account was squared; and every decent man, as every decent girl, must so consider it. Thus Clara managed to support herself as she did and have a "swell" time.

What became to Marjorie the most amazing and puzzling revelation from her inspection of this continual and elaborate social activity, was that Clara never seemed to have an idea of advancing anywhere beyond it.

"You mean don't I want more coin?" Clara inquired, when Marjorie tried to discuss it. "Sure, I'd like more; but you don't need to worry over fallin' on me makin' any mistakes about what a girl can get away with gettin' it."

"No; I don't mean just money," Marjorie attempted to explain. "Don't you want to get out of this way of living some day, Clara?"

"Into what?" demanded Clara, practically.

"Some place of your own where" Marjorie continued vaguely, and Clara caught her up with sudden, surprising softness.