s
off, and that he would be ready to forgive him in October. So he
settled himself in the old home with a tremendous display of books and
a fine appearance of studiousness, and declared he would work so hard
that when the Autumn term opened he would pass any examination they
could possibly set before him.

His mother and uncle caught his optimism and were both soon ready to
agree that all would be well. So Wallace spent the Summer very happily
in Orchard Glen, lying in the hammock under the trees, always with his
books, or driving about the country in the Doctor's car.

But poor Mrs. Sutherland had little enjoyment in his home-coming. She
was really a very neighbourly soul, in spite of a few strange ideas
about social usages, and she was now condemned to the difficult task of
keeping Wallace at his studies, and away from the young life about him,
and that in a village where the girls were as thick as the thistles
along the roadside.

First there was that pretty young simpleton at the corner store, who
giggled all the time, and made it dangerous for Wallace even to go for
the mail. Then there was that family at Browns up on the hill with
girls of all ages. And there were those Lindsays, for though the most
dangerous one was married and out of the way, and another one said to
be engaged, there was still another, very attractive and quite too
smart. And there was that bold, black-eyed daughter of the blacksmith,
who lived next door. She was too old for Wallace, but those mature
girls were the most to be feared. And indeed, there was no safety
whatever way you turned.

His mother had hoped for some relaxation when Wallace decided to spend
an hour or so each morning under Mr. Sinclair's tutoring, but no sooner
had this haven been provided, than the minister's daughter, a fine
looking, high-spirited girl, came home for her holidays, from her
school teaching.

So Mrs. Sutherland remained a prisoner in her own home, on guard over
her son. And the girls of the village did all in their power to make
her task most difficult.

And though Christina would have disdained to take any part in their
schemes to meet Wallace, she managed to see her True Knight quite often
and the Summer was a very happy one.

She always received a nod and a bright smile from him on Sundays, and
sometimes on week days when she went down into the village. And he was
always as gay and as debonair and handsome as anybody could wish a
Dream