e shades of night were slowly stealing over the land. The two
spoke but little as they walked, slowly across the field toward the
Tobin house. It was the first time they had been alone since they had
heard the wonderful news that afternoon under the apple tree. They
longed to speak about it, and yet a natural reserve restrained them.
They both felt that the time had now arrived when the great question
must be decided, and this thought affected their free and easy manner
of the past. But they were happy in each other's company, so words
were unnecessary.

They found Eben lying in an invalid's chair upon the verandah, with the
captain sitting by his side. He was still very weak, and the marks of
the burns were visible upon his face. He smiled as the visitors drew
near and sat down upon the steps. His old jealousy and animosity
toward John had disappeared.

"How are you feeling this evening?" Jess asked.

"Somewhat better, I guess," was the reply.

"He's a great deal better, Miss," the captain declared. "I'm merely
judgin' by the way he eats, fer that's allus a sure sign with Eben of
jist how he's feeling."

The captain was in excellent spirits, for his foot was almost well, and
he was hoping to be back upon the river in a few days. He was also
greatly pleased at what Eben had done at Island Lake, and the praise he
had received, especially in the newspapers. In fact, the latter were
almost worn out, so often had he read the articles, and shown them to
every person who came to the house.

"Yes," he continued, "Eben's appetite's all right, an' I expect it'll
be hard to keep him filled, when we git back on the boat."

"I don't want to go back on the boat," Eben replied. "I'm sick of it."

"Ye'll have to git over yer sickness, then," the captain reminded. "I
can't git along without ye, an' what is there fer ye to do if ye don't
go on the boat?"

"Oh, I'll find something, dad. I'm not worryin' about that now."

"How would you like to study civil engineering?" Jess asked.

Eben looked at her with surprise, wondering whether he had heard
aright. Then he smiled, somewhat wistfully.

"I mean it," Jess insisted. "Father is willing to send you to college,
and pay all your expenses. Isn't it great?"

"Great!" Eben fairly shouted the word, weak though he was. "Send me
to college to be a civil engineer! Say yer jist foolin', ain't ye?"

"Indeed I am not. Daddy is willing and ready to do all he can to