Arethusa laid down her work, drew a mighty breath, very nearly got into
the ear-trumpet, and explained that being suspended was infinitely less
heinous than being expelled, and decidedly less final.

Aunt Mary looked relieved.

"Oh, then he’s gettin’ better, is he?" she said. "Well, I’m sure that’s
some comfort."

And then there was a long pause, during which she appeared to be engaged
in deep reflection, and her niece continued her embroidery in peace. The
pause endured until a sudden sneeze on the part of the old lady set the
wheels of conversation turning again.

"Arethusa," she said, "I wish you’d go an’ get the ink an’ write to Mr.
Stebbins. I want him to begin to look up another college with good
references right away. I don’t want to waste any of the boy’s life, an’ if
bein’ suspended means waitin’ while the college takes its time to consider
whether it wants him back again or not I ain’t goin’ to wait. I’m a great
believer in a college education, but I don’t know that it cuts much figure
whether it’s the same college right through or not. Anyway, you write Mr.
Stebbins."

Arethusa obeyed, and the authorities having seen fit to be uncommonly
discreet as to the cause of the young man’s withdrawal, no great
difficulty was experienced in finding another campus whereon Aunt Mary’s
pride and joy might freely disport himself. Mr. Stebbins threw himself
into the affair with all the tact and ardor of an experienced legal mind
and soon after Lucinda’s return to her home allowed Arethusa to follow
suit, the hopeful younger brother of the latter became a candidate for his