d. She was smiling and eager when, prompted by
Frank, she told him there was something he would like to hear.

"It is about Davie, isn't it?" said Philip. "Davie is Miss Bethia's
heir?"

But it was not Davie. Davie had his father's library and the five
hundred dollars which Miss Bethia had offered for it as well, to do what
he liked with; there were some legacies to relatives, "to remember her
by," Miss Bethia had written, and there was something to Debby Stone.
But the house and garden in Gourlay, and all else that had been Miss
Bethia's, she had bequeathed unconditionally to Mrs Inglis. It was not
a large property, but it was a good deal more than Miss Bethia could
have been supposed to possess, considering her way of life. It was not
quite independence to Mrs Inglis and her children, but it would be a
great help toward it.

"And," said Violet, with a smile and a sigh, "it opens the way to
Davie."

"Yes; that is what Mr Caldwell said this morning. But you don't seem
so delighted as he was at the thought."

"I am very glad for Davie. But it will be a sad breaking-up for the
rest of us to have him go away. And it will be at once, I suppose, if,
at this late day, arrangements can be made for his going this year to
the university."

"But the sooner the better, I should think, Violet," said Frank,
cheerfully.

"Yes--the sooner the better for him; but think of mamma and the rest of
us. However, I know it is very foolish to look at that side of the
matter, and, indeed, I am very glad."

"And, besides, if you go to M-- you will see him often," said Frank.
"We shall be rather dismal without you both, I am afraid."

"Dismal enough!" echoed Mr Philip.

"And if you all go to Gourlay to live, as Miss Bethia seemed to think
you would, what will become of us?"

"What, indeed!" said Philip. "That is the plan, is it? It is cruel of
Aunt Mary, and I shall tell her so."

"We have made no plans as yet. I hope it will be all for the best. We
have been very happy here. It could not have lasted much longer for
Davie. He is very glad, and so is mamma; and, I suppose, we shall all
be glad, when we have time to think about it."

Philip was not so sure of that, nor Frank either, as far as their going
away to Gourlay was concerned. But mamma was glad and Davie. There was
no doubt of that, Philip saw, as soon as they appeared. They were
rather silent for a time, and Philip saw, what he had never seen before
in