go as she
pleases and with whom she pleases. She's so young." He flushed.

"Joan wouldn't have it different," said Ann, touched by the boyish
wistfulness of his eyes. "She clings to you. And she's as shy and
unspoiled as the day you brought her here. This flurry of admiration
to her means nothing at all. She's unhappy with strangers."

Kenny knew it was true and marveled.

"I would like to be generous," he admitted with an effort. "But I
can't. It's the simple truth, Ann, I can't. Even the thought of her
liking other men--bothers me."

December was fated to hold for him another startling anticlimax. It
came one snowy morning when he had slept even later than usual,
dreaming of an iridescent balloon that climbed higher and higher with
Joan peeping radiantly over the edge until at the peal of the telephone
bell it disappeared entirely.

Joan's voice instantly dispelled his irritation.

"Mavourneen!" he exclaimed. "Up already! And you danced half the
night."

"It's eleven o'clock," said Joan. "Besides, I couldn't sleep. I've
been thinking. Remember, Kenny, when you read the will and I said that
Donald should have the farm?"

"Yes," said Kenny, somewhat mystified. "I remember."

"If he's going to study and work his way through college, I don't think
he'd want it, do you?"

"No, dear, I doubt if he would. What's in your mind, girleen?"

"Oh, I'm so glad you think so too! Kenny--"

"Yes?"

"Do you know Jan's cousin, the pretty girl who's a model? I know that
doesn't sound at all as if it had anything to do with the farm but it
has. Jan's cousin said--I hardly know how to tell you, Kenny. I don't
think I like telephones. If I could see your face--"

"I'm wearing my guardian's face!"

"Oh!"

"And evidently it isn't popular."

"I like you--different. Jan's cousin said that she could get me a
great deal of work if I wanted it--posing for head and shoulders--"

"Joan!"

"Oh, dear!" wailed Joan. "That was a guardian's voice. Please wait,
Kenny."

"I'm waiting."

"I'm going to keep the farm and give Don the rest of the four thousand
dollars. . . . Did you say anything, Kenny?"

"No. . . . No, I was just clearing my throat."

"I've only spent a little of it yet. From now on I want to earn my
living like Peggy and Ann and Margot and all the others. I'll still
have plenty of time to study and practice. I wonder I didn't think of
it before. It was selfish when I had the far