"Yes, Jane is a real friend. She has been in the family for ten years.
She was a favorite with my own mother, and feels an interest in me."

"By the way, your stepmother's charge that you took a wallet containing
money from her drawer has been disproved by Jane. She saw Peter
abstracting the money, and so informed Mrs. Crawford."

"I am not at all surprised. Peter is mean enough to steal or do anything
else. What did my stepmother say?"

"She was very angry, and threatened to discharge Jane; but, as no one
would be left to attend to the dinner, I presume she is likely to stay."

"I ought to be forming some plan," said Carl, thoughtfully.

"Wait till you hear from home. Julia will see that your time is well
filled up till then. Dismiss all care, and enjoy yourself while you
may."

This seemed to be sensible advice, and Carl followed it. In the evening
some young people were invited in, and there was a round of amusements
that made Carl forget that he was an exile from home, with very dubious
prospects.

"You are all spoiling me," he said, as Gilbert and he went upstairs to
bed. "I am beginning to understand the charms of home. To go out into
the world from here will be like taking a cold shower bath."

"Never forget, Carl, that you will be welcome back, whenever you feel
like coming," said Gilbert, laying his band affectionately on Carl's