im. Jennie seized a moment's opportunity to say, "You did
beautifully, Jim; everybody says so."

"I failed!" said. Jim. "You know I failed. I couldn't remember my speech.
I can't stay here feasting. I want to get out in the snow."

"You made the best address of the meeting; and you did it because you
forgot your speech," insisted Jennie.

"Does anybody else think so?"

"Why, Jim! You must learn to believe in what you have done. Even Con
Bonner says it was the best. He says he didn't think you had it in ye!"

This advice from her to "believe in what you have done,"--wasn't there
something new in Jennie's attitude here? Wasn't his belief in what he was
doing precisely the thing which had made him such a nuisance to the county
superintendent? However, Jim couldn't stop to answer the question which
popped up in his mind.

"What does Professor Withers say?" he asked.

"He's delighted--silly!"

"Silly!" How wonderful it was to be called "silly"--in that tone.

"I shouldn't have forgotten the speech if it hadn't been for this darned
boiled shirt and collar, and for wearing a cravat," urged Jim in
extenuation.

"You ought to 've worn them around the house for a week before coming,"
said Jennie. "Why didn't you ask my advice?"

"I will, next time, Jennie," said Jim. "I didn't suppose I needed a
bitting-rig--but I guess I did!"

Jennie ran away then to ask Nils Hansen and Bettina to join their dinner
party. She had a sudden access of friendliness for the Hansens. Nils
refused because he was going out to see the college herds fed; but at
Jennie's urgent request, reinforced by pats and hugs, Bettina consented.
Jennie was very happy, and proved herself a beaming hostess. The dean
devoted himself to Bettina--and Jim found out afterward that this
inquiring gentleman was getting at the mental processes of a specimen
pupil in one of the new kind of rural schools, in which he was only half
inclined to believe. He thanked Jim for his speech, and said it was "most
suggestive and thought-provoking," and as the party broke up slipped into
Jim's hand a check for the honorarium. It was not until then that Jim felt
quite sure that he was actually to be paid for his speech; and he felt a
good deal like returning the check to the conscience fund of the State of
Iowa, if it by any chance possessed such a fund. But the breach made in
his financial entrenchments by the expenses of the trip and the
respectable and well-fitting suit of c