"How do you like her, Margaret?" asked Jasper, thoughtfully.

"Me like her! That's what I never did. She's like a cat--soft-spoken
enough when she has her own way, but she's got claws, and you may depend
she'll show 'em. I hope she won't do anything to harm you, Master
Jasper."

"Me!" said Jasper, with the bold confidence of a boy, laughing at the
thought. "What can Mrs. Kent--a woman--do to injure me? I'll risk that,
Margaret. It's of my father I'm thinking. Will she treat him well?"

"I think she will, for it's her object to, Master Jasper. She's married
him for money, you know."

"I don't mind her benefiting by my father's property, if she will make
him comfortable during his life."

"I think she will; she's too sly, and knows her own interest too well
not to."

"I'm glad you think that, Margaret. I shall feel better about it."

* * * * * * * * *

"Then you don't think you can stay, Jasper?" said Mrs. Kent, softly,
when he announced his determination.

"No, madam, I think I ought to be getting back to school."

"Perhaps you are right. We shall miss you."

"Yes, Jasper, we shall miss you," said his father.

"I will write you often, father. If you are not feeling well at any
time, write and let me know."

"I will do so, Jasper," said his step-mother, promptly; "but I shall
have better news to write. Your father shall have the best of care."

"Thank you, madam. If you can contribute to his comfort, you will place
me under obligations to you."

"As a wife, it will be my duty as well as my pleasure to do so," said
Mrs. Kent.

Jasper bowed. The suggestion of the relationship always fell
unpleasantly on his ears.

The carriage came round to take Jasper to the depot. His father and
step-mother looked out of the front windows, and saw him off.

"He is a noble, warm-hearted boy," said his father, warmly.

"Yes," said Mrs. Kent, assenting, because it was expected.

"Manly and high-spirited, too!" added his father, in a tone full of
affectionate admiration.

"I'd like to break his spirit!" thought Mrs. Kent, spitefully. "Some
time I may have the chance." Of course she didn't venture to say this.
She only inquired, "Were you like him at his age, Mr. Kent?"

Mr. Kent smiled.

"I won't flatter myself so far," he answered. "Jasper is an improvement
on the parent stock. I see in him more manliness and self-reliance than
I possessed at his age."

"May it not be