"It is a good arrangement."

After a pause, he continued in a changed tone:--

"And now while everything is pleasant at home, it is the time for
me to go away. My father was right: this is no place for me. I must
be where people think as I do--must live where I shall not be
alone. There will soon be plenty of companions everywhere. The
whole world will believe in Evolution before I am an old man."

"I think you are right," she said quietly. "It is best for you to
go and to go at once."

When he spoke again, plainly he was inspired with fresh confidence
by her support of his plans.

"And now, Gabriella, I must tell you what I have determined to do
in life: I want your approval of that, and then I am perfectly
happy."

"Ah," she said quickly, "that is what I have been wanting to know.
It is very important. Your whole future depends on a wise choice."

"I am going to some college--to some northern university, as soon
as possible. I shall have to work my way through, sometimes by
teaching, in whatever way I can. I want to study physical science.
I want to teach some branch of it. It draws me, draws all that is
in me. That is to be my life-work. And now?"

He waited for her answer: it did not come at once.