were passing with no seed being put in, his mother knew that there
was nothing lost to his future work as yet, that the discipline of early
care and self-denial, the constant and willing giving of himself to
work, which in itself was not congenial, was a better preparation than
he knew. She felt that if the Master had a special work for him to do,
He would provide a way for special preparation, and that His time was
best. David knew this too, and was on the whole content to look forward
a good way yet, for the change that must come, when his wish with regard
to this one thing should be granted. He was more than content. Life
went very quietly and happily with them this year, and it was a
profitable time in many ways.

Jem's work agreed with him, it seemed, for he was growing tall and
strong. His gay and careless temper brought him into some difficulties
this year, and being at that age when a young lad making his own way is
apt to become tenacious about little things which concern his dignity,
and impatient of the open exercise of restraint acknowledged to be
lawful and right, he needed to be gently and carefully managed. But
happily this uncomfortable period did not last long with Jem. He grew
manly in character as well as in appearance, and grew more, rather than
less, open to home influence as he grew older.

David's fair face and quiet manner gave Jem an appearance of advantage
over him as far as manliness was concerned, and strangers often took Jem
to be the eldest of the brothers. Jem himself, in a laughing way,
claimed to be beyond him in a knowledge of the world--on its hard side--
and made merry pretence and promise of advising and protecting him in
certain supposed circumstances of difficulty or danger. But in his
heart he deferred to his brother, as in all things far wiser and better
than he.

As to David's plans and their carrying out, Jem saw neither doubt nor
difficulty. In a few years--not very distinctly specified--Jem was to
become the head and bread-winner of the house, and David was to go his
own way to honour and usefulness. Jem was still to be the rich man of
the family, though the time and manner of winning his wealth he could
not make very clear; and David laughed and accepted his freedom from
care and his brother's gifts very gratefully, and professed to have no
scruples as to his future claims upon him.

When Mr Oswald's household was broken up, Violet returned home. But
happily