MATCH-MAKING 357 



loves country life because she's young and grow- 

 ing ; but there's a subconscious sense which tells 

 her that she's simply fitting herself to be carried 

 off by that handsome giant, Jim Jarvis. She 

 doesn't know it, but it's the truth all the same, 

 and it will come as sure as tide ; and when it 

 does come, her life will be run into other moulds 

 than we have made, no matter how carefully." 



" I wonder where this modern Hercules is most 

 vulnerable. I'll slay him if I find him mousing 

 around my Jane." 



" You will slay nothing, Mr. Headman, and 

 you know it ; you will just take what's coming 

 to you, as others have done since the world was 

 young." 



"Well, I give fair warning; it's hands off 

 Jane,' for lo, these many years, or some one will 

 be brewing < harm tea ' for himself." 



You bark so loud no one will believe you can 

 bite," said this saucy, match-making mother. 



" How about Jack ? " said I. " Have you set- 

 tled the moulds he is to be rta in ? " 



" Not entirely ; but I am not as one without 

 hope. Jack will be through college in June, and 

 will go abroad with us for July and August ; he 

 will be as busy as possible with the miners from the 

 moment he comes back ; he is much in love with 

 Jessie, the Gordon's have no other child, the 

 property is large, Homestead Farm is only three 

 miles, and " 



" Slow up, Polly ! Slow up ! Your main line 



