we will come to a kind and sensible conclusion about your future. While
you are away, I will do your work for you and you shall have your full
share of whatever money is made. Stay a year if you wish, but try and
find yourself before you come home."

"I would like to do as you say, John, but a year is a long time to be
away from the girl you love. I should want her every hour and should be
utterly miserable without her."

John was silent and troubled. Harry looked entreatingly at him, and it
was hard to resist the pleading in the young man's eyes. Finally John
asked a little coldly,

"Do you want to get married?"

"Not just yet--if I can get mother to go with me."

"To the Mediterranean?"

"Certainly."

"Who is the girl?"

"Miss Lugur, the schoolmaster's daughter."

"Mother would not go. You could not expect it. I also should be much
against her spending a year away from home. Oh, you know it is out of
the question!"

"I think mother will go. I shall ask her."