off because you wanted to speak to me about
him." Dinah was so hesitating in her manner that he thought it best to
finish her sentence for her. "I hope nothing is troubling you on his
account. In my opinion he is very much improved."

"Oh, I am so glad you think so," and all Dinah's mother-soul shone out
of her mild eyes. "Elizabeth was only saying last night how strong and
manly he has grown. But, Mr. Herrick, I am rather anxious about one
thing. You know Cedric is to row in the Oxford and Cambridge race."

"I am certainly aware of the fact," replied Malcolm drily. The Jacobis
and the University race had been the two standing dishes with which
Cedric had regaled him. "I have heard of little else, I can assure you.
Well, he is a lucky fellow; it is not every one who gets the desire of
his heart."

"Then you approve of it?" questioned Dinah; but her tone was so dubious
that he looked at her with unfeigned astonishment.

"My dear Miss Templeton, how could I do otherwise? It will be valuable
training for Cedric; the discipline and self-denial that it entails
will be the making of him. Of course his head is rather turned at
present, and he is crowing like a bantam cock who wants to challenge
the world, but he will soon be all right."

"You and Elizabeth think alike, then," replied Dinah; "she only laughs
at me and calls me old-fashioned. I suppose I am not up-to-date," with
a touching little smile; "it seems to me such waste of time and energy.
And then there is the Civil Service Examination."

"Oh, we need not trouble our heads about that for another eighteen
months."

"You think not?" still more anxiously. "Both Mr. Charrington and Mr.
Carlyon tell me that it is a terribly hard examination."

"Well, it is pretty stiff, of course, and Cedric will have to work
hard. You must give him his head for the present, Miss Templeton," he
continued. "When he has taken his beating like an Englishman--for
perhaps you are not aware there is a very poor chance for Oxford next
year; their best men have left, and they have to lick a lot of raw
recruits into shape. Well, what was I saying?--when Cedric has taken
his beating and cooled down a bit, he will settle to work like a navvy."

Dinah looked a little comforted. "Then you think he will pass?"

Malcolm almost laughed outright at her simplicity.

"Miss Templeton, am I to prophecy smooth things to you, or am I to
answer in the spirit of Micaiah the son of Imlah?"

"Oh, pleas