e a worthy descendant of his talented
father, a perfect gentleman of the old school," replied Aunt Marcia; and
Helen saw the quick flush of pleasure on the professor's cheek. His love
for his father amounted almost to worship, and Aunt Marcia could have
chosen no word of praise which would have moved him so deeply, or pleased
him more surely, than to thus have declared him, to be a "worthy
descendant."

Other young people joined this central group, and Nina at the piano played
softly a dreamy nocturne which seemed a gentle accompaniment to the
conversation.

In the shadow of a tall jar of ferns Jotham was looking at Randy, and
thinking that while the white party gown was very charming, it was also
true that Randy at home in a pink sunbonnet had been well worth looking
at.

"How serious you look," said Randy, "are you thinking that to-night's
pleasure will mean many hours of hard study to-morrow, Jotham?"

"No, indeed," he answered with a laugh, "I am not allowing a thought of
study to mar to-night's enjoyment. I was just wondering, Randy, why some
girls are very dependent for a good appearance, upon what they wear, while
one girl whom I know, can look equally well in a party gown or a gingham
dress and sunbonnet."

Randy blushed as she said, "O, Jotham, has Professor Marden been teaching
you to pay compliments, along with your other studies?"

"Indeed, no," was the answer. "He meant every word which he said to Miss
Dayton's aunt, as truly as I meant what I said to you, and Randy," he
continued, "you and I have been here in the city all winter, have seen its
life and stir and bustle, and you have seen much of the social side of the
problem which is puzzling me. Is it so much better, this city life, than
the home life in the country? There, every busybody is interested in his
neighbor; here, we are met on every hand by strangers who do not know, or
wish to know anything in regard to us. Here a hundred strangers in the
great railway stations are objects of but little interest. Randy, do you
realize the commotion which one arrival with a hand-bag causes at the
little station at home? I tell you, Randy, one is large in a little
country town, and small, so small in a great city."

"One is never small, wherever he may be, in the hearts of his friends,
Jotham," was the sweet reply, "but in regard to home, there is no place
like it. I enjoy all the brightness, the study, the fine pictures which I
have seen and the rare m