realization
that her son and the girl she had so quickly learned to admire were on
the lake, rambling the woods, or hearing lectures together.

When she asked him how long he could remain, he said as long as she
did. When she explained that she was enjoying herself thoroughly and
had no idea how long she would want to stay, he said that was all
right; he had only had one vacation in his life; it was time he was
having another. When she marvelled at this he said: "Now, look here,
Mother, let's get this business straight, right at the start. I told
you when I came I'd seen the woman I wanted. If you want me to go back
to business, the way to do it is to help me win her."

"But I don't want you 'to go back to business'; I want you to have a
long vacation, and learn all you can from the educational advantages
here."

"It's too late for me to learn more than I get every day by knocking
around and meeting people. I've tried books two or three times, and
I've given them up; I can't do it. I've waited too long, I've no way
to get down to it, I can't remember to save my soul."

"But you can remember anything on earth about a business deal," she
urged.

"Of course I can. I was born with a business head. It was remember,
or starve, and see you starve. If I'd had the books at the time they
would have helped; now it's too late, and I'll never try it again,
that's settled. Much as I want to marry Miss Bates, she'll have to
take me or leave me as I am. I can't make myself over for her or for
you. I would if I could, but that's one of the things I can't do, and
I admit it. If I'm not good enough for her as I am, she'll have the
chance to tell me so the very first minute I think it's proper to ask
her."

"John, you are good enough for the best woman on earth. There never
was a better lad, it isn't that, and you know it. I am so anxious that
I can scarcely wait; but you must wait. You must give her time and go
slowly, and you must be careful, oh, so very careful! She's a teacher
and a student; she came here to study."

"I'll fix that. I can rush things so that there'll be no time to
study."

"You'll make a mistake if you try it. You'd far better let her go her
own way and only appear when she has time for you," she advised.

"That's a fine idea!" he cried. "A lot of ice I'd cut, sitting back
waiting for a signal to run after a girl, like a poodle. The way to do
is the same as with any business deal. Se