took all Jake had to give and were surprised and half indignant when he
asked something from you."

Agatha wondered rather drearily whether Mrs. Farnam's reproaches were
not justified; but the latter went on: "Perhaps, however, your coldness
is encouraging. I don't suppose you have met anybody you liked, or felt
you could like, better than Jake."

"No," said Agatha, and then hesitated. Since Mabel was capable of giving
her cousin a hint, she saw that frankness was needed and remembered the
fortnight she had spent with Thirlwell by the lake. She had thought
about him since; indeed she had done so oftener than she knew.

"I shall never marry Jake," she said. "Just now it seems unlikely that I
shall marry anybody else."

Mrs. Farnam made a sign of disappointed acquiescence. "Very well! That's
done with. If there's anything more to be said about your plans for the
next few months, your brother will say it. I'm glad George is coming,
because he's sensible and will deal with you firmly. Now I'll go and get
supper."

She left Agatha thoughtful. George, whose business occasionally brought
him into the neighborhood, had written to say that he was coming and
would stop the night, and Agatha wondered what he wanted to talk about.
He would certainly give her good advice, but they seldom saw alike and
she braced herself for a struggle, although she was fond of her brother.

Supper in the bright cedar-paneled room was a cheerful function, and as
she looked about and joined in the talk Agatha was conscious of a
feeling that was hardly strong enough for envy or actual discontent, but
had a touch of both. Mabel looked happy and modestly proud. She was
obviously satisfied and in a way enjoyed all that a woman could wish
for. The house was pretty; Farnam was indulgent and showed his wife a
deference that Agatha liked. He owned a large orchard and had sufficient
capital to cultivate it properly. George Strange was marked by a
complacent, self-confident manner that his urbanity somewhat toned down.
He dealt in artificial fertilizers and farming implements, and it was
said that he never lost a customer and seldom made a bad debt.

In character, George was unlike his sister, because while unimaginative
he generally saw where his advantage lay. For all that, he was just and
often generous. He was married, and talked to Mrs. Farnam about his wife
and child when he was not eating with frank enjoyment and telling
humorous stories. While