nt defiance when Dick laughed because he drank his tea
out of the saucer. She liked the way he had straightened himself
suddenly up, while his eyes flashed with a peculiar light. The next
that she heard of him was several years later when he entered college
in Dick's year. Then every time her brother had come home he had such
stories to tell her about Spuds. And so he was now living near working
on a farm. Why did he not go home? she asked herself. She wondered
also what he looked like now. Was he lank and awkward as when she saw
him? She longed to ask Dick several questions, but desisted, knowing
that it would be to little purpose. Her brother would only make fun of
him, and she would be sure to get angry.

When supper was over, the men sauntered out upon the verandah for a
smoke. Lois went, too, but sat somewhat apart with a piece of
needlework in her hands. She preferred to be alone that she might
think. She thought first of old David, and his pitiable condition.
What could she do to help him? she asked herself. It was not right
that he should be kept as a pauper while there were several people in
the parish who could provide for him without the least trouble. Her
father was one of them, and she was determined to speak to him just as
soon as she could.

From old David it was only natural that her mind should turn to Jasper
Randall. She recalled his animated face the day her ankle had been
sprained. He was but a big overgrown boy then, and she had just
graduated from school. She had never forgotten him, and had followed
his career while at college as well as she could from what her brother
told her. And so he was now working on a farm nearby. A longing came
upon her to see him, and to learn if he had changed much since that day
years ago. As she glanced toward her brother and Sammie, so effeminate
in their manner, and dressed with such scrupulous care, a feeling of
contempt smote her. They disdained honest toil, and would scorn to
soil their soft white hands with manual labor. But over there was a
young man toil-worn, and no doubt sunburnt, clad in rough clothes
earning his living by the sweat of his brow. Such a person appealed to
her. He would form an interesting study, if nothing else. There must
be some connection between that potato patch and the college, she told
herself, and she was determined to find out what it was.

As she thus sat and worked, her thoughts keeping time to her finge