and his headaches have almost ceased. He seems to enjoy his studies this
term and is making progress. We all feel pleased of course. Louis has
had an offer from his uncle to go into the store, but your father and I
would much prefer to keep him in school if his health will allow. We are
ambitious for all of you and want you to have an education and do in the
world what you are best fitted to do.

"We want you to come home for Christmas. And from the different bits you
have written about your German friend Bauer we have been wondering if he
could not come with you. I understand from one of your letters that he
is rather a lonesome fellow, without many friends. If he is not going to
his own home at Christmas time, give him a good, strong invitation from
father and me to come with you. You know we have never been separated at
the holiday season, and it will be my treat to pay your expenses home
this time unless you make a new arc light and get it patented and make a
lot of money out of it. We are all interested in the light and speak of
it almost every day. Your father was saying this morning that our street
lights are a disgrace to Milton. There is a citizens' war going on at
present over the situation and every number of the _News_ contains
letters from angry taxpayers calling the city government to account for
the wretched nature of the street lighting. If you should happen to
discover an economical and satisfactory city lamp, the people of Milton
would be ready now to compel the council to purchase and install it. Of
course this all sounds rather like a story, but stranger things have
happened in the history of inventions. And if you should happen to be
the fortunate discoverer, we would be very proud and happy.

"Don't forget to make the invitation to Mr. Bauer as hearty as you can.
I am anxious to see you, as all of us are.
"YOUR LOVING MOTHER."

The things which annoyed Walter in this letter were, first of all, his
mother's invitation to Bauer. Of course if he did not return to school,
that would be the end of it. But if he should return, why, then, under
the peculiar conditions that existed it would be more than embarrassing
for Walter to bring Bauer home with him. And to add to his annoyance
Walter began to feel hard toward the German student, as if Bauer had
done him a wrong. It is, of course, true that one of the surest ways to
acquire a hatred of anyone is first of all to do hi