m. He was still slight, but though his face was pale
and his body thin, his movements suggested muscular strength and sound
health. He had not grown handsome. His features were irregular, mouth
wide, cheek bones prominent, ears large; yet withal there was a singular
attractiveness about his appearance and manner. His eyes were good;
grey-blue, humorous, straight-looking eyes they were, deep set under
overhanging brows, and with a whimsical humour ever lingering about
them; over the eyes a fore-head, broad, suggesting intellect, and set
off by heavy, waving, dark hair.

"Who gave his money? I insist upon knowing. No reply, eh? I have
evidently come upon a deep and deadly plot. Mother?--no use asking you.
Kathleen, out with it."

"You gave your money," burst forth Nora in a kind of passion as she flew
at him, "and everything else. But now that's all over. You are going to
finish your college course this year, that's what."

"Oh, that's it, eh? I knew there was some women's scheme afloat.
Well, children," said the youth, waving his hand over them in paternal
benediction, "since this thing is up we might as well settle it 'right
here and n-a-o-w,' as our American friend, Mr. Ralph Waldo Farwell,
would say, and a decent sort he is too. I have thought this all out.
Why should not a man gifted with a truly great brain replete with grey
matter (again in the style of the aforesaid Farwell) do the thinking
for his wimmin folk? Why not? Hence the problem is already solved. The
result is hereby submitted, not for discussion but for acceptance, for
acceptance you understand, to-wit and namely, as Dad's J. P. law books
have it: I shall continue the school another year."

"You shan't," shouted Nora, seizing him by the arm and shaking him with
all the strength of her vigorous young body.

"Larry, dear!" said his mother.

"Oh, Larry!" exclaimed Kathleen.

"We shall then be able to pay off all our indebtedness," continued
Larry, ignoring their protests, "and that is a most important
achievement. This new job of Dad's means an addition to our income. The
farm management will remain in the present capable hands. No, Miss Nora,
I am not thinking of the boss, but of the head, the general manager."
He waved his hand toward his mother. "The only change will be in the
foreman. A new appointment will be made, one who will bring to her task
not only experience and with it a practical knowledge, but the advantage
of intellectual discipline