THE HOME-COMING 187 



silent watches of the night, reduced the art to 

 mathematical exactness, and I can show you the 

 figures. Don't talk to me about colleges ! " 



After supper we took the children through the 

 house. Every part was inspected, and many 

 were the expressions of pleasure and admiration. 

 They were delighted with their rooms, and 

 apparently with everything else. We finally 

 quieted down in front of the open fire and 

 discussed plans for the holidays. The children 

 decided that it must be a house party. 



" Florence Marcy is with an aunt for whom 

 she doesn't particularly care, and Minnie will 

 just jump at the chance of spending a week in 

 the country," said Jane. 



" You can invite three girls, and Jack can have 

 three men. Of course Jessie Gordon will be 

 here. We will drive over in the morning and 

 make sure of her." 



" Jack, whom will you ask ? Get some good 

 men out here, won't you ? " 



" The best in the world, little sister, and you 

 will have to keep a sharp lookout or you will 

 lose your heart to one of them. Frank Howard 

 will count it a lark. He has stuck to the " busi- 

 ness " as faithfully as if he were not heir to it, 

 and he will come sure to-morrow night. Dear 

 old Phil my many years' chum will come 

 because I ask him. These two are all right, and 

 we can count on them. The other one is Jim 

 Jarvis, the finest man in college." 



