Rufus took off his hat and declared there was no place like
home; and Winthrop sometimes pulled a few strong strokes and
then rested on his oars and let the boat drop down with the
tide.

"Winthrop," -- said Rufus, as he sat paddling his hands in the
water over the side of the boat, -- "you're a tremendous fine
fellow!"

"Thank you. -- I wish you'd sit a little more in the middle."

"This is better than Asphodel just now," Rufus remarked as he
took his hands out and straightened himself.

"How do you like Mr. Glanbally?"

"Well enough -- he's a very good man -- not too bright; but he's
a very good man. He does very well. I must get you there,
Winthrop."

Winthrop shook his head and turned the conversation; and Rufus
in fact went away from home without finding a due opportunity
to speak on the matter. But perhaps other agency was at work.

The summer was passed, and the fall nearly; swallowed up in
farm duty as the months before had been. The cornstalks were
harvested and part of the grain threshed out. November was on
its way.

"Governor," said his father one night, when Winthrop was