well to get
it over.

"Neal," she said, tenderly, taking his hand as they sat together on the
sofa, "I never really thought you took the money. I only did for an
instant after you ran away. Of course that seemed strange. But, Neal,
you will forgive us for thinking so at all. You will come back, won't
you, dear? John wants you to as well as I, and you will go to college."

Neal rose and walked to the window. He stood there for a moment, with
his hands in his pockets. Then he turned, and, coming back, stood in
front of her.

"I'll tell you what it is. Hessie, we've both got something to forgive.
I was beastly extravagant at St. Asaph's, and not at all fair and square
when I asked you for the money that time. Then, being suspended was all
against me, and of course John had a right to get mad. It's awfully hard
to swallow the fact that he wouldn't believe me, and he thought I would
steal; however, he had some excuse for it. My old pride was at the
bottom of it all. You see, I've had time to think it over since I've
been here; two months is a good long time. I've been alone a lot, and
when you're not measuring boards at a lumber-yard you have plenty of
time for thinking over your sins. And I suppose I was pretty well in the
wrong, too. I ought not to have run away; I know that."

Now that Neal had reached this conclusion he was courageous enough to
acknowledge it.

"And you will come home now, and go to college."

"No, I don't think I will. Cousin William seems to think I do pretty
well in the business, and I shouldn't wonder if he'd feel rather badly
to have me go. He was very good to take me in. Then I made up my mind
I'd stick at the old thing and show Cyn--show some people I'm no coward.
Then I'm not very much gone on books, Hessie, and if I went to college
I'd want to give a good deal of time to sports and all that, and I'd
need a lot of money. Somehow I don't seem to be able to see other
fellows spending a pile without doing likewise. I haven't got it, and I
am not going to be dependent on you, Hessie dear, much as I know you
would like to give me every cent you own. But, on the whole, I think I
like better to make my own living. I rather like the feeling of it."

Hester felt that Neal was showing that he was made of good stuff. She
was not a little proud of his independent spirit. She was greatly
disappointed that he was not going through college; but, after all, she
reflected, there was great wisdom in what