then," answered Laddie. "It's time for me to try my wings at making a
living, and land is my choice. I have fully decided. I stick to the
soil!"

"Amen!" cried father. "You please me mightily. I hate to see sons of
mine thriving on law, literally making their living out of the fruit of
other men's discord. I dislike seeing them sharpen their wits in
trade, buying at the lowest limit, extorting the highest. I don't want
their horizons limited by city blocks, their feet on pavements,
everything under the sun in their heads that concerns a scheme to make
money; not room for an hour's thought or study in a whole day, about
the really vital things of life. After all, land and its products are
the basis of everything; the city couldn't exist a day unless we feed
and clothe it. In the things that I consider important, you are a king
among men, with your feet on soil you own."

"So I figure it," said Laddie.

"And you are the best educated man I have reared," said father. "Take
this other thought with you: on land, the failure of the bank does not
break you. The fire another man's carelessness starts, does not wipe
out your business or home. You are not in easy reach of contagion.
Any time you want to branch out, your mother and I will stand back of
you."

"Thank you!" said Laddie. "You backed none of the others. They would
resent it. I'll make the best start I can myself, and as they did,
stand alone."

Father looked at him and smiled slowly.

"You are right, as always," he said. "I hadn't thought so far. It
would make trouble. At any rate, let me inspect and help you select
your land."

"That of course!" said Laddie.

I suspect it's not a very nice thing for me to tell, but all of us were
tickled silly the day Miss Amelia packed her trunk and left for sure.
Mother said she never tried harder in all her days, but Miss Amelia was
the most distinctly unlovable person she ever had met. She sympathized
with us so, she never said a word when Leon sang:

"Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still--"

while Miss Amelia drove from sight up the Groveville road.

As he sang Leon stret