to be a philosopher and to take
life as it came, without constantly fretting or finding fault. Uncle Ike
says, 'It is not work but worry that wears men out,' That's why he came
down here to live in the woods. He said they wouldn't let him work and
so he worried all the time, but when he came here he had plenty to do,
and in his work he found happiness."

"I am learning a good lesson," said Quincy with a laugh. "I have studied
much, but I actually never did a day's work in all my life, Miss
Pettengill."

"Then you are to be pitied," said Alice frankly; "but I see I should not
blame you, you are studying now and getting ready to work."

"Perhaps so," Quincy remarked. "My father wishes me to be a lawyer, but
I detest reading law, and have no inclination to follow in my father's
footsteps."

"Perhaps you are too young," said Alice, "to settle upon your future
career. I cannot see you, you know, and Uncle Ike did not say how old
you were."

Quincy smiled. "I am in my twenty-fourth year," said he. "I graduated at
Harvard two years ago."

"So old!" exclaimed Alice; "why, I am not twenty-one until next June,
and I have been working for my living since I was sixteen."

Quincy said, "I wish I had as honorable a record."

"Now you are vexed with me for speaking so plainly," said Alice.

"Not at all," Quincy replied. "I thank you for it. I have learned from
Uncle Ike that frankness of speech and honesty of heart are Pettengill
characteristics."

"You might add," said Alice, "firmness in debate, for none of us like to
own up that we are beaten. I remember years ago Uncle Ike and I had a
long discussion as to whether it were better to be stone blind or stone
deaf. I took the ground that it was better to be blind, for one could
hear music and listen to the voices of friends, and hear the sound of
approaching danger, and then, besides, everybody is so kind to a person
who is blind. But you see Uncle Ike don't care for music, and had rather
talk himself than listen, so he decided that it was best to be stone
deaf, for then he could read and write to his friends. But of course
neither of us gave in, and the question, so far as we are concerned, is
still unsettled."

At that moment the sound of a team was heard, and a few minutes later
Uncle Ike came upstairs, followed by the driver of the team bearing a
big basket and a large bundle. These contained Uncle Ike's purchases.

"Wait a minute and I will go upstairs with you," c