"Who gave his money? I insist upon knowing. No reply, eh? I have evidently come upon a deep and deadly plot. Mother?--no use asking you. Kathleen, out with it.""You gave your money," burst forth Nora in a kind of passion as she flew at him, "and everything else. But now that's all over. You are going to finish your college course this year, that's what.""Oh, that's it, eh? I knew there was some women's scheme afloat.
Well, children," said the youth, waving his hand over them in paternal benediction, "since this thing is up we might as well settle it 'right here and n-a-o-w,' as our American friend, Mr. Ralph Waldo Farwell, would say, and a decent sort he is too. Ihave thought this all out. Why should not a man gifted with a truly great brain replete with grey matter (again in the style of the aforesaid Farwell) do the thinking for his wimmin folk? Why not? Hence the problem is already solved. The result is hereby submitted, not for discussion but for acceptance, for acceptance you understand, to-wit and namely, as Dad's J. P. law books have it: I shall continue the school another year.""You shan't," shouted Nora, seizing him by the arm and shaking him with all the strength of her vigorous young body.
"Larry, dear!" said his mother.
"Oh, Larry!" exclaimed Kathleen.
"We shall then be able to pay off all our indebtedness," continued Larry, ignoring their protests, "and that is a most important achievement. This new job of Dad's means an addition to our income. The farm management will remain in the present capable hands. No, Miss Nora, I am not thinking of the boss, but of the head, the general manager." He waved his hand toward his mother.
"The only change will be in the foreman. A new appointment will be made, one who will bring to her task not only experience and with it a practical knowledge, but the advantage of intellectual discipline recently acquired at a famous educational centre; and the whole concern will go on with its usual verve, swing, snap, toward another year's success. Then next year me for the giddy lights of the metropolitan city and the sacred halls of learning.""And me," said Nora, "what does your high mightiness plan for me this winter, pray?""Not quite so much truculence, young lady," replied her brother.
"For you, the wide, wide world, a visit to the seat of light and learning already referred to, namely, Winnipeg."For one single moment Nora looked at him. Then, throwing back her head, she said with unsteady voice: "Not this time, old boy. One man can lead a horse to water but ten cannot make him drink, and you may as well understand now as later that this continual postponement of your college career is about to cease. We have settled it otherwise. Kathleen will take your school--an awful drop for the kids, but what joy for the big boys. She and I will read together in the evenings. The farm will go on. Sam and Joe are really very good and steady; Joe at least, and Sam most of the time. Dad's new work will not take him from home so much, he says.
And next year me for the fine arts and the white lights of Winnipeg. That's all that needs to be said.""I think, dear," said the mother, looking at her son, "Nora is right.""Now, Mother," exclaimed Larry, "I don't like to hear your foot come down just yet. I know that tone of finality, but listen--""We have listened," said Kathleen, "and we know we are right. Ishall take the school, Mr. Farwell--"
"Mr. Farwell, eh?--" exclaimed Nora significantly.
"Mr. Farwell has promised me," continued Kathleen, "indeed has offered me, the school. Nora and I can study together. I shall keep up my music. Nora will keep things going outside, mother will look after every thing as usual, Dad will help us outside and in.
So that's settled."
"Settled!" cried her brother. "You are all terribly settling. It seems to me that you apparently forget--"Once more the mother interposed. "Larry, dear, Kathleen has put it very well. Your father and I have talked it over"--the young people glanced at each other and smiled at this ancient and well-worn phrase--"we have agreed that it is better that you should finish your college this winter. Of course we know you would suggest delay, but we are anxious that you should complete your course.""But, Mother, listen--" began Larry.
"Nonsense, Larry, 'children, obey your parents' is still valid,"said Nora. "What are you but a child after all, though with your teaching and your choral society conducting, and your nigger show business, and your preaching in the church, and your popularity, you are getting so uplifted that there's no holding you. Just make up your mind to do your duty, do you hear? Your duty. Give up this selfish determination to have your own way, this selfish pleasing of yourself." Abruptly she paused, rushed at him, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. "You darling old humbug," she said with a very unsteady voice. "There, I will be blubbering in a minute. I am off for the timber lot. What do you say, Katty? It's cooler now. We'll go up the cool road. Are you coming?""Yes; wait until I change."
"All right, I will saddle up. You coming, Larry?""No, I'll catch up later."
"Now, Mother," warned Nora, "I know his ways and wiles. Remember your duty to your children. You are also inclined to be horribly selfish. Be firm. Hurry up, Kate."Left alone with his mother, Larry went deliberately to work with her. Well he knew the immovable quality of her resolution when once her mind was made up. Patiently, quietly, steadily, he argued with her, urging Nora's claims for a year at college.
"She needs a change after her years of hard work."Her education was incomplete; the ground work was sound enough, but she had come to the age when she must have those finishing touches that girls require to fit them for their place in life. "She is a splendid girl, but in some ways still a child needing discipline;in other ways mature, too mature. She ought to have her chance and ought to have it now." One never knew what would happen in the case of girls.
