refreshment of body as well as
mind. So he might not see her again under a year.

"I do hope they will not have you spoiled," he said with his good-by.
And as he walked down the street he muttered under his breath:

"That old woman will make a waiting maid of her in the end." He was
jealous that the old woman should be able to dictate the girl's life
just because she was rich.

She had such a happy morning with Mrs. Dayton, talking over last summer;
Joanna studied her with admiring eyes and declared that she was not
changed a bit, only had grown taller, and the mysterious alteration that
comes to a girl on the boundary line, for which she had no words.

Uncle Jason came in quite early and was delighted with his warm welcome,
more frank than Joanna's.

"My, you're growed every way!" he said, "and you're pretty as a pink,
and fine as a lady! I declare I don't know what Aunt Jane will do with
you. And the children are just crazy to see you. My! My!"

He studied her from head to foot and turned her round. His eyes
twinkled, he screwed up his face until it was a bed of wrinkles. His
hair was faded and grayer, the fringe of beard ragged. But there was
such a gladness, such an utter satisfaction that she felt doubly assured
of his love.

When she had gone to pick up a few articles Mrs. Dayton made a little
explanation that she felt would ease Helen's course. She would have a
good deal of studying to do, and Mrs. Van Dorn had made arrangements for
her to stay here part of the time, as it would be quiet, with no
interruptions to break in upon her time.

"Why, I thought it was vacation!" looking puzzled. "Mother's planned a
lot of things. And she's mortal afraid Helen will forget all about
housekeeping."

"She belongs to Mrs. Van Dorn for the two years, you know, since that
lady is taking care of her. You see now that is only fair. Helen's time
is planned out."

"Sho, now!" and he bit at the end of a wheat stem he found hanging to
his clothes.

"Helen knows a good deal about housework and if she should ever have it
to do, it will come back to her. But her heart is set upon teaching, and
I think that is about as easy a way of earning money as any, if you are
fitted for it."

Mr. Mulford said no more, but he felt there would be a clash between
Aunt Jane and Helen.

The rosy, bright-eyed girl said good-by to her dear friend, with the
promise of returning soon, and stepped into the rickety old wagon.

It seemed cu