ight, however; but, by degrees, it was
made plain to Mrs Inglis what it was best for them to do. David went
almost immediately to M--, and was admitted into the university, passing
the examinations for the second year; and Violet went back to her place
in Mrs Lancaster's school. Mrs Inglis decided to remain in Singleton
for the winter, partly for Jem's sake, and partly that Ned might still
have the benefit of school. Frank was also to be with them. Mr Oswald
was not to be in Singleton constantly, and Miss Oswald was to remain at
her own home all winter, and the little girls were to remain with her.

So Frank took David's place, though he did not quite fill it, and Mr
Philip came and went almost as often as when the others were at home.
His visits were for the pleasure of all, and for his own profit; and
when the time came that they were to say "good-bye" for a little while,
it was spoken by Mrs Inglis with feelings far different from those she
would have had a year ago; for she knew that the discipline of changed
circumstances, of care, and of hard work that had fallen upon him, had
strengthened him in many ways; and, better still, she could not but hope
that the influence and teaching to which he had so willingly submitted
during the last year and more, had wrought in him for good, and that now
he was being taught by Him who teacheth to profit, and guided by Him in
the right way.

Jem had an opportunity to play at being "head of the house" for once;
and it was, by no means, all play, for the care and responsibility of
acting for his mother in all that pertained to making necessary
arrangements, to the disposal of such things as they did not care to
take with them, and to the removal of such things as they wished to
keep, fell on him. He did his work well and cheerfully, though with a
little unnecessary energy, and he would gladly have staid to settle them
all in Gourlay. But he was needed for his legitimate work; and amid
much cause for gratitude, Mrs Inglis had this cause for anxiety, that
Jem must henceforth be removed from the constant happy influence of home
life, and left to prove the strength and worth of his principles among
strangers. If he had been more afraid for himself, it is likely his
mother would have been less afraid for him. But there was no help for
it. It is the mother's "common lot."

"The young birds cannot always stay in the parent nest, mother, dear,"
said Jem; "and I must go as the re