he returned in the late summer and I went back to my work at college in
a hopeless fashion that gave way under the whip of a strong will.

I made myself as contented as possible. I knew all the pretty girls
and went about with some of them to the entertainments of the college
season. At last came the long looked for day of my graduation--the end
of my student life.

The streets of the town were thronged, every student having the college
colours in his coat lapel. The little company of graduates trembled with
fright as the people crowded in to the church, whispering and faring
themselves, in eager anticipation. As the former looked from the two
side pews where they sat, many familiar faces greeted them--the faces
of fathers and mothers aglow with the inner light of pride and pleasure;
the faces of many they loved come to claim a share in the glory of that
day. I found my own, I remember, but none of them gave me such help as
that of Uncle Eb. However I might fare, none would feel the pride or
disgrace of it more keenly than he. I shall never forget how he turned
his head to catch every word when I ascended the platform. As I warmed
to my argument I could see him nudging the arm of David, who sat beside
him, as if to say, 'There's the boy that came over the hills with me in
a pack basket.' when I stopped a moment, groping for the next word, he
leaned forward, embracing his knee, firmly, as if intending to draw off
a boot. It was all the assistance he could give me. When the exercises
were over I found Uncle Eb by the front door of the church, waiting for
me.

'Willie, ye done noble!' said he.

'Did my very best, Uncle Eb,' I replied.

'Liked it grand--I did, sartin.' 'Glad you liked it, Uncle Eb.'

'Showed great larnin'. Eho was the man 'at give out the pictur's?'

He meant the president who had conferred the degrees. I spoke the name.

'Deceivin' lookin' man, ain't he? Seen him often, but never took no
pertick'lar notice of him before.'

'How deceiving?' I enquired.

'Talked so kind of plain,' he replied. 'I could understan' him as easy
as though he'd been swappin' hosses. But when you got up, Bill'. why,
you jes' riz right up in the air an' there couldn't no dum fool tell
what you was talkin' 'bout.'

Whereat I concluded that Uncle Eb's humour was as deep as it was kindly,
but I have never been quite sure whether the remark was a compliment or
a bit of satire.

Chapter 28

The folks of Faraway have b