cs than anything else. I wonder if I
couldn't get Prof. Smith to coach me. I could study all week and go in
Saturdays to recite."

"The first thing to do is to get that doctor's certificate. We'll go to
town to-morrow and have Dr. Hardy look you over, and if he doesn't find
anything suspicious, we'll run down to Topeka to see the surgeon and
call on the senator at the same time. I think I could go Monday."

The entire family held its breath or at least tried to, for the next few
days. Mrs. Morton quite forgot how badly she had wanted Ernest to have
an education, when she learned that he could only come home once a year,
and then only for a short month. She sighed so much and was so
distraught, that the family were almost afraid to rejoice with Ernest,
when he came home jubilantly waving his physician's certificate.

"Never mind, Mother, that surgeon may send me packing. Don't worry till
you are sure I'm going. Even if I am vouched for as up to the scratch
physically, I may flunk, alas! Wouldn't that be nice after Father had
put up a lot of money to send me on? You'd be ashamed of me, Mother, you
wouldn't want to see me come home."

"I am not expecting you to fail, son," said Dr. Morton, "though I wish
we could have arranged matters sooner to give you more time for review.
But with the exception of a little extra mathematics, the requirements
are certainly no worse than for college entrance exams. And you've
tested yourself out twice on those. Aren't you glad I insisted on more
geometry?"

"He doesn't need to come home if he does fail. He can visit some of our
friends in Centerville till college opens. It would only be a few days,"
Frank consoled him. "However, I am not expecting you to fail, old boy. I
have always flattered myself that the Morton family are not lacking in
brains, and you know how to study."

"I most wish he would fail so he could come to see us. Mother would love
to have him spend the Christmas vacations with us," put in Katy naively.

"Thank you, Katy, I'd enjoy nothing better, but I've kinder set my heart
on showing this naval outfit that a wild and woolly Kansan can measure
up with some of those down-easters."

The naval surgeon confirmed Dr. Hardy's judgment. The senator had been
cordial, and after some questioning, said he would send Ernest's name to
the department immediately. He also gave him some helpful suggestions as
to what subjects to put the emphasis on.

Two weeks seemed a pretty