Page:Duer Miller--The charm school.djvu/43

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The Charm School


charming women—marriageable women. Parents don't dare to say this—least of all to teachers, of whom they are naturally afraid. They talk a lot of bunk about cultivation and womanliness, but what they really mean is attractiveness—they want their daughters to be charming and have beaux—of course they do. Well, my scheme is to meet the parents half-way. To come out boldly and say that the object of my school is to teach charm. And, by heavens! I'll teach 'em—have 'em taught, that is."

"By constant personal contact with young ladies?" asked Johns, mildly.

"Quite the contrary," answered Bevans, firmly. "I shall hold myself entirely aloof. I shall be an unseen power. Oh, I shall speak to the assembled school whenever it is necessary to put over an idea. I shall set my ideals before them. Now when a dear old fat woman like my aunt told them to stand up straight and lower their voices, they didn't pay the least attention, but when a young man about their own age tells them, you'll find it makes a lot more impression. Do you see the idea?"

"I think I get your point."

"Another thing I mean to do," Bevans went on. "I shall let it be known that I

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