one
without so much spirit."

Helen continued her lunch, and the doctor went on with his, but only to
turn pettishly upon his child.

"I wish to goodness you'd say something, Helen," he cried. "It's so
exasperating to have every one keeping silence like that."

Helen looked up and smiled.

"Yes, and that's just as aggravating," said the doctor. "Now you are
laughing at me."

"No, no; I was thinking very seriously about your project."

"One which I mean to carry out, madam."

"Of course, papa," said Helen quietly; "but I would not be damped at the
outset."

"What do you mean, Helen?"

"I mean that I should not take that poor boy back to the life from which
you have rescued him, just because he has displayed a few pranks, all
due to the exuberance of his nature. Coming from such a place, and
making such a change, he is sure to feel it strongly. He is, so to
speak, bubbling over with excitement and--"

"Here, stop a moment," said the doctor, in astonishment. "I give up.
You had better write that book."

"Not I, papa dear," said Helen, smiling. "And if you are really bent
upon this experiment--"

"And I am," said the doctor. "Nothing shall change me."

"Then I think you have selected the very boy."

"You do!" said the doctor excitedly.

"Yes. He is just the wild little savage for you to reclaim."

"But--but a little too bad, Helen?"

"No, papa, I think not; and I think you are not justified in saying bad.
I believe he is a very good boy."

"You do?"

"Yes; full of mischief as a boy can be, but very, very affectionate."

"Yes. I think he is," assented the doctor.

"I think he will be very teachable."

"Humph!"

"And it was plain to see that he was touched to the heart with grief at
our anger."

"Or is it all his artfulness!"

"Oh no, papa! Certainly not that. The boy is frank and affectionate as
can be."

"Then you think it is possible to make a gentleman of him?"

"If it is possible of any boy whom you could get from the Union, papa."

"And you really think he is frank and tender-hearted?"

Helen pointed to the boy's untouched plate.

"And you would not exchange him for something a little more tractable?"

"I don't think you could. I really begin to like the mischievous little
fellow, and I believe that in a very short time we should see a great
change."

"You do?"

"Yes; but of course we must be prepared for a great many more outbreaks
of this kind."

"Unless I s