David was to go or not,
was to be decided later, but he did not let the uncertainty with regard
to his own prospects of pleasure interfere with his in all that the
others were to enjoy. He helped cheerfully in all the arrangements for
their departure, and made light of his mother's anxiety and doubts as to
the comfort of those who were to be left behind.

But when they were gone, and Jem and David left in the deserted house
alone, they were neither of them very cheerful for a while. They were
quite alone, for Mrs Lacy, the neighbour whom Mrs Inglis had engaged
to care for their comfort, had a home of her own and little children to
care for, and could only be there a part of the day. The unwonted
silence of the house pressed heavily upon their spirits.

"It's queer, too," said Jem, who had been promising himself great
enjoyment of the quiet time so that he might the better prepare for the
school examinations that were coming on. "I used to think the children
bothered with their noise and their chatter, but the stillness is ten,
times more distracting, I think."

David nodded assent.

"They will be in Gourlay long ago," said he. "I wonder how it will seem
to mamma to go back again."

Jem looked grave.

"It won't be all pleasure to her, I am afraid."

"No; she will have many things to remember; but I think she would rather
have gone to Gourlay than anywhere else. I wish I could have gone with
her."

"Yes; but she has Violet and the children; and mamma is not one to fret
or be unhappy."

"She will not be unhappy; but all the same it will be a sorrowful thing
for her to go there now."

"Yes; but I am glad she is there; and I hope I may be there, too, before
the summer is over."

Jem's examinations passed off with great credit to himself; but he did
not have the pleasure of telling his triumph, or showing his prizes to
his mother and the children till after their return to Singleton; for
Jem did not go to Gourlay, but in quite another direction.

When an offer was made to him, through one of his friends at the great
engine-house, to accompany a skillful machinist to a distant part of the
country where he was to superintend the setting up of some valuable
machinery in a manufacturing establishment, he gave a few regretful
thoughts to his mother and Gourlay, and the long anticipated delights of
boating and fishing; but it did not take him long to decide to go.
Indeed, by the time his mother's consent reac