you would not know yourself, you
would be transformed into a new man! But, Miss Houghton is a very busy
woman. One of the most useful on the farm! Just at present, she is the
leading director of the nursery and kindergarten school; the principal
female teacher, in the gymnasium; the president of the dancing club; the
secretary and treasurer of the physiology club; and vice-president of
the botany, chemistry and history clubs. After faithfully performing the
duties belonging to these offices, she still finds time to do a great
amount of scientific research and reading; so much, that last year, she
easily carried off the prize, which was awarded to the best qualified,
scientific student among the young ladies at Solaris."

"Stop, Fillmore! You grieve and astonish me! You surely must be jesting,
in dishing up this long rigmarole, about Miss Houghton's
accomplishments! After what I have told you, I cannot conceive how you
can fail to understand, that I am not in a mood for jesting. As for the
girl, I very much desire to meet her, that I may have an opportunity to
express the regrets and apologies for my unfortunate neglect of her
mother's letter, to which she is so justly entitled. This painful duty
once performed, my interest in Miss Houghton will cease."

"I assure you, George, I am not jesting! I am very much in earnest! I
think I understand your case thoroughly. I know that you do not realize
the seriousness of that paralyzing, apathetic condition, into which you
have fallen. I do not think you need condolence, or any form of mild
sympathetic treatment. I am sure you do need very much, to be aroused by
new associations, scenes, friends and acquaintances; strong magnetic
people, with ideas so radical, so startling, that by one quick wrench,
your line of thought may be diverted into some entirely new channel. If
therefore, in my talk to you about Miss Houghton, I have succeeded in
arousing your indignation, in the slightest degree, I shall be
encouraged by knowing that my efforts for your good, have been made in
the right direction."

"Pardon me, Fillmore! I fear I have been hasty! And, that I have
entirely misjudged your motive! I am now in a much better frame of mind,
to listen attentively to what you have to say."

"That sounds much more reasonable, George. I will now return to my
description of Miss Houghton, which was broken off by your interruption.
For the reasons I have just stated, I believe that Miss Houghton