law in the same office with Billy Bender. But his
father heard no favorable accounts of him, and from time to time large
bills were presented for the payment of carriage hire, wine, and
"drunken sprees" generally. So it is no wonder the disappointed father
sighed, and turned to his daughters for the comfort his only son
refused to give.

But we have wandered from the examination at Mount Holyoke, for which
great preparations were being made. Rose, knowing she was not to
return, seemed to think all further effort on her part unnecessary;
and numerous were the reprimands, to say nothing of the black marks
which she received. Jenny, on the contrary, said she wished to
retrieve her reputation for laziness, and leave behind a good
impression. So, never before in her whole life had she behaved so
well, or studied so hard as she did during the last few weeks of her
stay at Mount Holyoke. Ida, who was expecting her father, aunt and
cousin to be present at the anniversary, was so engrossed with her
studies, that she did not observe how sad and low spirited Mary
seemed. She had tasted of knowledge, and now thirsted for more; but it
could not be; the funds were exhausted, and she must leave the school,
never perhaps to return again.

"How much I shall miss my music, and how much I shall miss you," she
said one day to Ida, who was giving her a lesson.

"It's too bad you haven't a piano," returned Ida, "you are so fond of
it, and improve so fast!" then after a moment she added, "I have a
plan to propose, and may as well do it now as any time. Next winter
you must spend with me in Boston. Aunt Martha and I arranged it the
last time I was at home, and we even selected your room, which is next
to mine, and opposite to Aunt Martha's. Now what does your ladyship
say to it?"

"She says she can't go," answered Mary.

"Can't go!" repeated Ida. "Why not? Jenny will be in the city, and you
are always happy where she is; besides you will have a rare chance for
taking music lessons of our best teachers; and then, too, you will be
in the same house with George, and that alone is worth going to Boston
for, I think."

Ida little suspected that her last argument was the strongest
objection to Mary's going, for much as she wished to meet George
again, she felt that she would not on any account go to his own home,
lest he should think she came on purpose to see him. There were other
reasons, too, why she did not wish to go. Henry and Rose Lin